Omri Casspi
He broke the NBA's glass ceiling for Israeli athletes, becoming a beloved pioneer who carried his nation's flag onto basketball's biggest stage.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Israeli basketball player·Birthday: June 22·Millennials
Biography
Omri Casspi became the first Israeli drafted in the NBA first round in 2009, playing significant minutes for the Sacramento Kings. From the coastal city of Holon, his relentless energy and trademark three-point celebrations made him a fan favorite in Sacramento, Cleveland, and Golden State. His impact was cultural, serving as a bridge between American sports and Israeli fans, inspiring a generation of kids in his home country. His decade-long career included a memorable stint with the Warriors. Casspi opened doors simply by walking through them.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Omri was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Omri Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Omri's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first Israeli-born player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2009.
- Played ten seasons in the NBA for teams including the Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Golden State Warriors.
- Represented the Israeli national basketball team in multiple European Championships and Olympic qualifying tournaments.
- Won an Israeli League Championship with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2018 after returning from the NBA.
Did You Know?
He served in the Israel Defense Forces before beginning his professional basketball career.
Casspi is a distant cousin of former NBA player and coach David Blatt.
He was known for his pre-game ritual of eating a specific brand of chocolate spread on bread.
“I represented a whole country. Every game I played, I felt the weight of that.”
