At 19, Chaim Galbut steps onto the court for Duquesne University’s Division I men’s basketball team, becoming the first Orthodox Jewish player in the league since Tamir Goodman’s debut in 2001.
Born in Miami and raised in a tradition that prizes both study and sport, Galbut begins each day with morning prayers, then heads to practice, squeezes in online classes, and ends with night prayers after a session of Talmud study.
A Unique Recruitment Story
His journey to the hardwood started on elite Jewish day‑school teams, moved through the competitive AAU circuit with JDS Elite, and caught the eye of Harvard coach Mike Sotsky at a high‑profile tournament in Atlantic City.
Duquesne assistant coach Chase Goldstein saw the viral highlights of a yarmulke‑clad player and offered a scholarship, a rare recruitment that recognized talent without compromising religious identity.
The university has adapted its schedule to accommodate Galbut’s observance of Shabbat, allowing him to study Torah during weekends and to keep his religious commitments intact while competing at the highest collegiate level.
Coaches and teammates have embraced flexibility, adjusting practice times and travel plans so that Galbut can attend daily prayers and maintain his rigorous academic routine without sacrificing his role on the team.
On the court, his rebounding prowess earned him the nickname ‘the Jewish Rodman,’ a moniker that reflects both his style of play and the respect he commands from peers who see a unique blend of devotion and skill.
Despite lingering skepticism from some rabbis and coaches who question whether faith and elite athletics can coexist, Galbut’s steady performance and disciplined routine continue to challenge those doubts, inspiring a new generation of student‑athletes who seek to honor tradition while chasing sporting excellence.