The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize 14-year-old Yonah Tarzik as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey eighth grader has just completed an impressive junior high school basketball career. Tarzik is a tri-captain of a Jaguars team that showed steady improvement over his three years and was one bounce away from being the second RYNJ boys basketball team to play in a championship game. He was also a key member of a CMEK team that competed on a tremendously high level, winning a championship in 2016.
We had the privilege of sitting down with RYNJ Jaguars coach Steve Gutlove to talk about Tarzik. Coach Gutlove told the JLNJ, “I am beyond thrilled to be able to sing the praises of Yonah Tarzik. I have had the pleasure of coaching Yonah for the past three years, and take tremendous pride in the basketball player he has developed into. Every coach dreams of a point guard who is a floor general and a coach on the court. Yonah was that for the Jaguars and so much more.. he had terrific floor vision and the ability to not only make the correct pass, but to know his receiver and make sure it was always the right pass. Yonah has the ability to throw down thirty plus points a game, but never did because he would rather make the extra pass so a teammate can score. I truly believe Yonah has ice running through his veins; the team could always count on him when they needed a big shot or stop on defense. More important than his development as arguably the best point guard in the league (which is a testament to all of his hard work, not his coach), is the impressive young man that Yonah has developed into: A tzaddik on and off the court, a leader and a role model to all of his teammates.”
Yonah, that is some high praise. Your coach referred to you as a role model to others—who would you say is your role model?
My role model is my great-grandfather because he helped Jews all around the world during and after World War II. He taught me to keep on pushing even if the odds are against me.
Looking back, what is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Winning the 2016 CMEK championship game. We were the underdogs going into the game but fought hard and won by three.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete is Stephen Curry because he always keeps his composure, even during the most intense moments of a game.
What is your pregame routine?
I try to get as many shots up as I can before the game and hopefully see some fall.
What is your earliest sport memory?
When I was eight years old, I won Rookie of the Year in Camp Mesorah.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My two favorite basketball memories are hitting a half-court buzzer beater to send my CMEK team to the playoffs, and hitting a game winning shot to beat SAR.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
Watching sports and chilling with my friends.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
My whole team should be recognized because they push me hard, and make me the player I am today.
The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]
