SPORTS STARS OF THE FUTURE MEET BASKETBALL LEGEND TAL BRODY AT MACCABI TEL-AVIV

Sports hero Brody tells group of Young Judaea sportsmen and women, "We are still on the map"

Potential immigrant sports stars of the future met the Israeli-American basketball icon Tal Brody when they tasted the excitement of the Israeli basketball league recently.

Thirteen international students, who are on the sports track of the year course with Young Judaea � the youth movement of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America watched the battle between Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Nokia Arena. After the game, they got to meet Maccabi's basketball legend in a surprise meeting that was organized for them.

Brody shared his experience of coming to Israel from the United States as a basketball player and a young Jew. He explained the effect basketball has had on the positive image of Israel over the years and throughout the world. He reiterated his famous slogan "We stay on the map, not only in sports but in all areas."

Said Yale Gordon, 17, from New Jersey , a promising basketball player in the Young Judaea group: "The meeting with Tal was really exciting. I follow all of the Maccabi games and it was a great experience to be at one. I'm enjoying the sports track and the way it allows us to focus on our favorite sport, while living and volunteering in Israel . Next year I plan to play college basketball in the US ."

The Young Judaeans sat in the stands wearing predominantly yellow � Maccabi Tel Aviv's colors � so that they could be fully experience being part of the home crowd at the Nokia Arena, who were willing Maccabi to win. Currently, Maccabi is their local team, because the group is living close to Tel Aviv, in Bat Yam . However, next month the students, aged 18-19 from the United States, Britain and other countries, will move to live in Jerusalem, so will the red of Hapoel Jerusalem become their chosen color instead? An intriguing question. Stay tuned for the colorful answer.