The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize Kira Elbaum as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The 13-year-old Yavneh seventh grader is one of the top female, junior high ball players in Bergen County. She was the lone seventh grader to start for the Yavneh eighth grade team last season and has led her camp team to championships two years in a row. Elbaum’s teammate and friend Evie Gutlove told the JLNJ, “Kira is a born leader, always has a smile on her face and works to help make her teammates better.”

Kira told the JLNJ that, to prepare for games, she starts with a protein bar. Kira said that her mother is her role model and her favorite athlete is Russell Westbrook. She admires Westbrook “because he plays point guard just like I do. He never gives up even if he is having a bad game.”

Kira’s first sports memory is playing in TBO when she was six, but the highlight of her athletic career is when she had the opportunity to play with New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez. When she isn’t playing sports, you can find Kira hanging out with her friends or watching basketball on TV. Kira told us that the best thing about being a sportstar is being able to get exercise while doing something she loves.

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]