Zevi Samet | "No High School Wanted Me"

Zevi Samet's journey from a hyperactive, undisciplined youth who was rejected by multiple high schools to becoming a transformative figure in Jewish sports and outreach is nothing short of extraordinary. After being turned away from traditional schools due to his boundless energy and lack of academic focus, he found a lifeline at TABC, where he struggled as a benchwarmer before discovering his purpose during the isolation of the pandemic. With five to seven hours of daily training, he transformed his game and his mindset, eventually transferring to Yeshiva University (YU) where he became a spiritual leader for his teammates. Despite being a star athlete, Zevi prioritized Yiddishkeit, creating programs like Shachras, Team Shabbatons, and Inyanim to inspire his secular teammates, many of whom came from non-religious backgrounds in Israel. His leadership culminated in a championship win, where he made a game-winning shot and celebrated not with a traditional dance, but with a moment of prayer and gratitude. His story is one of faith, resilience, and using athletic success as a platform for spiritual impact, proving that basketball is not the goal—but the vehicle for deeper connection to Hashem and community.