The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize Rafi Kubersky as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The 18-year-old is the captain of the SAR Sting Varsity Basketball team, and will be representing the United States at the Maccabi games in Chile in December. Kubersky was one of only five current yeshiva league seniors selected to compete on the Maccabi team, playing against teams representing 18 different countries
Kubersky is coming off a tremendous Maagen David Tournament. The biggest shocker of the tournament was when the Sar Sting upset the defending league champion HAFTR Hawks in the second round. Kubersky and teammate Eitan Hain, managed to minimize the damage inflicted by HAFTR’s big man Abie Perlow (also a member of the Pan Am Maccabi team). No small feat, Perlow was a 1st team All-American as a junior last year.
Rafi, congrats on a great tournament. We are looking forward to an exciting season with you.
Who do you look to as role models?
My parents. They taught me that if you put your mind to something and do it with all of your heart, you can accomplish extraordinary things.
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
Lebron James. What separates him from most superstars is that he is so unselfish. Not only does he look for his own shot, but he is able to feed his teammates and make them look better as the defense converges on top of him.
What is your pregame routine?
Breaking down the pregame huddle.
What is your earliest sport memory?
The Patriots winning their first Super Bowl.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Going to a Knicks game during “Linsanity.” Watching Jeremy Lin go from journeyman to All-Star caliber player was inspiring, and it was awesome to watch him play in person. It seemed as if the whole city of New York was electrified at the time.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
I enjoy writing and keeping up with current events, specifically the presidential election and the current situation in the Middle East.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
Being a part of the SAR Varsity basketball team. I love my teammates and have great respect for Coach Halpert, Coach Ritholtz and Coach Levy. I feed off their energy and they help me get better every day.
Great job Rafi!
The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
