Niv Rosenholz was born and raised in Israel, spent his youth in Switzerland, and next season will try his luck at Texas A&M's daughter college. "There is great exposure and a very high level here," the 19-year-old guard told Israel Today.
Rosenholz. Will be happy to play in Israel
Photo:
ACRI NICOLA
The name Niv Rosenholz probably does not mean much to Israeli basketball fans. Still, from the age of 11 he is not in Israel and only returns for short outings once or twice a year.
Rosenholz, (19, 1.87 m), was born in Israel and grew up in Hod Hasharon, where he played in the youth department of the local Maccabi. Eight years ago he moved with his family to Switzerland due to his father's work and since then he has played in the young teams in Switzerland and has become one of the most promising talents in the country.
In the 2018/19 season he won the league championship up to the age of 20 with the Bloney Basque team and won the title of Outstanding Player of the Final Series. His ability caught the eye of the Monteye team from the senior league in Switzerland, which specializes in the development of young players, and it also gave him his senior debut. His team was ranked fifth in the table before stopping the league.
"He is a work machine, committed to other levels, constantly asking and going down to the smallest details and working on the basics," says Maccabi Haifa assistant coach Amit Ben David, who worked with Rosenholtz in Israel last summer. "He has a goal of being the best professional basketball player. "In the best section possible on the way to completing this goal. He has a constant gleam in his eyes. He has a special way, he is smart and knows exactly what he wants."
An informed choice
About three months ago, Rosenholz, who plays mainly as a coordinator, joined Texas A&M Commerce from Division 2 in the American College League with the help of Yuval Shaham, who helps Israelis integrate into colleges and junior colleges in the United States, and recognizes Well for the coaching staff and head coach Jarrett Rosenberg.
"For most of the young kids who play basketball the big dream is NBA, to get to play in the US," Rosenholz explains to "Israel Today", "For me there were two reasons to go to colleges: there's a lot of exposure, all eyes on you, it's a very high level and all up to you. and second, it was important to continue with school and I knew that the United States is the place where you can combine study and basketball at the highest level. "
indeed Rosenholtz already in Dallas, enrolled "Business manager at the university where he intends to play in the coming years. Texas A&M commerce is the subsidiary and a kind of development group of the prestigious and famous Texas A&M University where NBA players Diandra Jordan, Chris Middleton and Alex Caruso moved.
Rosenholtz for his part focuses on the here and now." I did a lot of research before choosing this college. "My personal trainer (Derek Long, an American who is considered one of the top personal trainers in Switzerland; JM) who played in this conference also recommended that I come here. Right now I am concentrating on proving that I am worth the opportunity I was given."
Rosenholz holds an Israeli identity card and a Polish passport, and since he played for more than five years in the Swiss youth departments, he is considered a local player there as well. "I want to go back and play in Europe after college. Playing in the top leagues in Europe is a dream of a lot of young Israelis and of course mine. I think over the years I got experience playing in Europe, which many Israeli players do not have."
Would you like to play in Israel in the future?
"Obviously I would like to play in Israel sometime, but right now I'm focused on how to be the best player I can be both physically and professionally, and when the time comes we will see where my career will lead me."