The Jewish Link and Drink Up would like to recognize Akiva Jacoby as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Akiva is a seventh grader at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey and dropped an impressive 32 points in the seventh grade Jaguars’ last win of the season, over the Noam Knights. When asked about Akiva, RYNJ Middle School Principal Rabbi Avi Burnstein told The Jewish Link, “Passionate on and off the court, Akiva is always striving for growth. As he adds to his numbers in the books, he works on adding to his ultimate stats as an ever-growing student and Jew.” RYNJ seventh grade assistant coach Dovid ‘ace’ Engel told The Jewish Link, “He is the heart and soul of the RYNJ Jaguars and yet will never allow anyone to tell him that. He has the ‘we’ vs. ‘I’ attitude toward every game and the Jaguars would not be 9-1 and the top seed without Akiva Jacoby.”

Akiva, congrats on the great game and for being recognized as this week’s Sportstar of the Week! Who is your role model and why?

My brothers because they are my role models in life and on the court.

What is your favorite sport?

Basketball, because it’s a great team sport.

What is your pregame routine?

Shoot close shots with one hand and stretch.

What is your greatest sports accomplishment?

Winning the AAU Championships.

Who is your favorite athlete and why?

DeyMarcus Cousins. He is an aggressive and tough player, both physically and mentally.

What is your favorite sports memory?

Scoring 52 points in an intracamp game last summer at Camp Shoresh.

What is the weirdest thing that happened to you while playing ball?

A teammate shooting in the opponent’s hoop.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?

Chilling with family and friends.

What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?

To finally make The Jewish Link.

Please send nominees for an upcoming Drink Up Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].