Limor Mizrachi

An Ambassador on and Off the Court:

Limor Mizrachi
by Scott Granowitz

September, 1998--Limor Mizrachi is determined to make it in the American Basketball League (ABL). After all, basketball stars from abroad usually don't travel across the world to take pay cuts in what many consider the strongest league in the world. But Mizrachi, one of the most decorated Israeli players of all time with three Israeli League MVP awards, is not your ordinary professional athlete.

"I look for different challenges," explained Mizrachi on why she decided to play for the New England Blizzard. "One thing is to prove to myself that I can do it and the other thing is to represent the country."

After being selected by the Blizzard in the 5th round (47th overall) of the 1998 ABL Draft, the 5-7 Mizrachi was offered a guaranteed one-year contract to add experience, fancy assists, long range shooting, and depth at the point-guard position. During the spring of 1997, Mizrachi made the final cut in her quest to make the New York Liberty of the ABL's rival WNBA league, but an injury kept her from making the team. She was also one of the unfortunate late cuts last spring during tryouts for the WNBA's Detroit Shock. But as always, most open roster spots in the professional ranks are filled by specific team needs at that point in time. The Blizzard needed another point guard to complement Jennifer Rizzotti. So associate head coach Belinada "Boe" Pearman, who coached Mizrachi for one year at the University of Maryland during the 1991-92 season, added the flashy playmaker to the draft's supplemental list of players who did not attend the ABL combine.

Mizrachi, 28-years-old, enjoys her dual role of promoting basketball for her homeland and the growing ABL.

"I feel kind of like an ambassador of Israel because everyone asks me where I'm from and I'm proud to say I'm from Israel, a little country," said a proud Mizrachi. "Some people are surprised we even have professional basketball. I kind of promote this league also. So I really feel good about it."

At the young age of 6, Mizrachi got her start in hoops playing pick-up with boys in her native Givataim, an eastern suburb of Tel-Aviv. Mizrachi also ran track, played soccer and even competed at a high level in swimming for four years, but it was her love of basketball that took over. At age 9, she began playing organized ball for the Bnei Yehuda club in south Tel-Aviv. A member of multiple Israeli national championship teams, Mizrachi has also played for A.S. Lachen Ramat-Hasharon and Elitzur Ramla. Last season Mizrachi averaged 14 points and 5 assists, leading Ramla to the league title while earning MVP honors. In addition to Mizrachi's experience playing in the Israeli League and professional European tournaments, she has played for the National Team since the ripe age of 15, captaining the squad since the 1990-91 season.

With all this experience and proven track record, the ABL still figures to be Mizrachi's greatest challenge of all, due to the much faster and physical American style of play.

"I think the physical aspect will be most different than in Israel," anticipated Mizrachi. "I can see it right now compared to the players on my team I am the weakest one. I weight-lift less than everybody. And the tempo of the game is much different. But I am sure it is something I will get used to. I already started to get used to it because you don't have a choice so you adapt the habit to work like them. So once you do it you get better and stronger."

There is nothing to fear, as this ambassador already experienced the American flavor. During Mizrachi's year at Maryland she quarterbacked the team to a 25-6 record, an NCAA Mideast Regional Final, a number one ranking for a four-week period during the season, and a final ranking of eight by both the Associated Press and USA Today national polls. She averaged 8.3 points, 4.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 82.4% from the free-throw line, and 41.6% from three-point range in 31 starts. Mizrachi is still the club record holder in 3-pointers made during a season (32) and accuracy.

Mizrachi's stay at Maryland was cut to just one year due to the diagnosis of her mother Shulamit's cancer (from which she later recovered), something she understandably needed to return home for. But her short year was a great experience. Mizrachi would recommend it to other young Israeli players.

"I think it's important to make some changes in life - to get to know different teams, a different atmosphere, and a different way of working," said Mizrachi. "I think it's important. If people will ask me I will recommend young players to do it."

One of the more intriguing aspects playing for the Blizzard is being associated with the team's head coach, the legendary K.C. Jones. Jones, owner of 12 NBA Championship rings as a player and coach, is known for his composed coaching style.

"It's a great honor to play for him," said Mizrachi about her new coach. "He's a legend for me and for Israel. From what I heard and got to know about him, he seems to be a really nice person to work with. That's very rare for a person like him. Not to be cocky - that's something that I appreciate."

When Mizrachi steps on the court for the first time at the New Haven Coliseum for a pre-season exhibition game against the Philadelphia Rage on October 10th, she will become the first Israeli to play professional basketball in the United States. Coincidentally, another player from Givataim, Oded Katash, is expected to play for the New York Knicks once the NBA's labor dispute ends.

"We came together on the same flight and I know him from Israel," said Mizrachi about Katash. "He's a really nice person. I am going to be in touch with him. We will encourage each other and help each other as much as we can."

With the addition of Mizrachi, the ABL now has two Jewish players, Mizrachi and 6-5 center Anita Kaplan. Kaplan, a 1995 graduate of Stanford, played two seasons for the San Jose Lasers before being selected in the expansion draft by the new Chicago Condors. Mizrachi is proud of her Jewish heritage and is also delighted to be an ambassador for Jewish fans across the United States. She plans on helping promote the game and Jewish pride to the area.

"I know that there is a big Jewish Community Center in Connecticut and I already got to know some of these people, which are very nice people," said Mizrachi. "I'm glad to be around Jewish people also. It's always helpful and we feel like we have something in common. If I can help with something I will be more than happy to do that."

The Blizzard will commence their 44-game regular season November 5th against the Rage at the Hartford Civic Center. It is with great pride that our ambassador will represent us.