
Israeli-Born Emanuel Sharp Drafted to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings
Israeli-American basketball star Emanuel Sharp, son of Maccabi Tel Aviv legend Derrick Sharp, was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 45th pick in the NBA draft on Thursday, June 25. Born and raised in Israel until the age of nine, Sharp moved to the United States but carried his Israeli roots onto the game’s biggest stage. He joins a growing roster of Israeli talent reaching the world’s premier basketball league. His selection caps a remarkable journey marked by both heritage and perseverance.
Sharp’s basketball lineage runs deep on both sides. His father, Derrick, built a legendary career with Maccabi Tel Aviv, while his mother, Justine Ellison Sharp, was a standout for the University of Toronto, leading her team to two national silver medals. At 15, Emanuel suited up for Israel’s U16 national team at the FIBA European Championship, averaging 25 points per game. He overcame a serious leg injury late in high school before rising to the elite Division I ranks.
At the University of Houston, Sharp flourished, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors as a senior and setting the school’s record for career three-pointers. His finest hour came in the 2025 Final Four, where he scored nine of his points in the closing minutes to power the Cougars into the national championship game. Scouts praise him as a high-IQ guard with a dependable shot and tenacious defense. He now joins Deni Avdija, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf as the four Israeli players currently in the NBA.
(JPost/VFI News)
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