The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Ilana Cooper as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. Ilana is an eighth grader at Yeshivat He’Atid and one of the many shining stars of the Hurricanes team that recorded the schools first ever undefeated 10-0 basketball regular season. When asked about his starting center, Coach Aaron Neufeld told The Jewish Link, “A great defender and rebounder is the cornerstone of any winning basketball team, and I am proud to say Ilana is one of the best. Whether it is blocking shots, grabbing rebounds or simply hustling for every loose ball, she never backs down from a challenge and always rises to the occasion. She goes about her business and never looks for any credit.”
Ilana, congrats on being recognized as this week’s Sportstar of the Week! Who are your role models and why?
My biggest role models are probably my grandparents because they are humble and nice people who always do selfless things and help out in the community.
What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sports are soccer and basketball. I like to be aggressive when I play sports, and I play center in basketball and defense in soccer.
Who is your favorite athlete?
My favorite athlete is probably Saquan Barkley because he’s a good leader, humble and nice to his teammates—and very talented.
What is your pregame routine?
During the warmups before games I always find time to talk to my teammates and make sure they all believe in themselves.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
My greatest sports accomplishment was when I got 16 rebounds during one basketball game. It felt so amazing to get so many rebounds!
What is your earliest sports memory?
My earliest sports memory is playing preschool PAL soccer with my friends and my grandparents coming to watch me play.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
My favorite things to do when I’m not playing sports are watching movies and going to Lazy Bean with my friends and family.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My favorite sports memory is winning games with my teammates, and getting closer as a team. The He’Atid Hurricanes basketball team had an undefeated regular season this year, which was amazing!
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
That I get to be a role model for my younger siblings and my cousins.
The Humble Toast Sportstar of the week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Stars of the Week to [email protected].
By Jewish Link Sports Desk
