Yeshiva League Pass presents Tip-Off

In this weeks episode of the “Tip Off” we bring you the one and only Gabriel Leifer. He takes us behind the scenes of his career and how he got to where he is today. He tells us about the secrets to his success and all the hard work and dedication he put into the game. He opens up about his stellar career in high school as well as some of his bitter defeats and greatest victories. The big question, is he coming back for one more run at Yeshiva University?  Tune in to find out….

In this weeks episode of the Tip Off we bring you Yeshiva University’s newest and hottest recruit, Ethan Lasko.  Ethan’s career is quite a story and a very uncommon journey for a Jewish athlete. He discusses all the hard work, dedication and sacrifices he made to play basketball in D1.  His career began in high school in South Florida at Katz Yeshiva in Boca Raton. Ethan trained to be the best at a very early age and transferred to a different high school to help elevate his game. He eventually found his way back to Katz Yeshiva and helped them reach heights not thought to be possible. His college career began at NCAA powerhouse Indiana University and ultimately to Manhattan College. Want to know where the next chapter of his stellar career will continue?  Catch the entire episode at the Tip Off!

In this weeks episode of the “Tip Off” we bring you our biggest show to date!  Mike Sweetney, is the reason for that and it has as much to do with his 6’8 height as well as his incredible story. It’s not often you get to sit down and talk with a former lottery pick who played in the NBA with the Knicks and Bulls. In the show you will learn that his greatest achievements and success are coming off the court. He had a storied career at Georgetown University and was drafted at #9 in the 2003 NBA Draft by the NY Knicks. He talks about his early career success and then ultimately being traded to the Bulls and dealing with a coaching staff who buried him on the bench. It was during these times where he battled with depression and eventually ended his desire to continue playing the game he loved. The NBA is in the past now and he will take you on the next part of his life and how he has flourished. He talks about his good friend Tamir Goodman and how he connected him with the Yeshiva League world and how he became coach/mentor for the Ramaz Girls Varsity basketball team as well as current assistant coach of Yeshiva University. His life mission is now helping people deal with mental illness as well as motivating and mentoring kids and adults. Enjoy this weeks episode with the Gentle giant, Mike Sweetney!

In this weeks episode of the Tip Off, we bring you the one and only Coach Pick!  Evan Pickman takes you on a journey of his incredible and storied coaching career.  Coach Pick discusses how he got started and all the major influences in his career. He will let you know how his life as an NBA scout was and who he scouted on their way to the League. Elgin Baylor, Rick Pitino and Billy Donovan are just a few of the games legends that he calls friends. A teacher at heart, he will discuss his Heschel championship season as well as all the heartbreaking defeats. What does the future hold for Coach Pick???  Tune in to this weeks episode to find out what he’s got cooking!

In this weeks episode of the “Tip Off”, we bring you the man of the hour, hoops sensation, Flyin Ryan Turell!  In the world of Jewish basketball, no one is hotter than Turell. On the episode, Ryan will discuss when he realized that basketball could be more than a game for him, but rather a future occupation.  He will showcase all his hard work and dedication into perfecting his craft and how he trains to be the best. He wasn’t born at a height of 6’7 and he will discuss how he went from being one of the smallest kids on the court to one of the most feared. We will talk about his decision to turn down division 1 scholarship offers and ultimately take his talents to Yeshiva University.  If you want to find out when he first dunked and what NBA players he’s trained with tune into this weeks episode of the Tip Off!  

In this weeks episode of the “Tip Off” we sit down with the first family of Los Angeles basketball.....The Halpert’s. The Ball brothers, got nothing on these 3 superstars. We hear from Simcha, Eitan and Avi as they talk about the battles  they had at home growing up and how it helped shape their respective games. The hard work and dedication they each took to hone their craft is a lesson to all to get the best out of your abilities.  Simcha talks about his current season playing as a professional in Israel as well as reflects on his legendary career at Yeshiva University.  Eitan takes us behind the scenes on the current YU season and how they have had to make so many sacrifices to be able to play this season.  Avi, lets us know where the Shalhevet team is at and how they are preparing for the upcoming season. The boys discuss playing against the Yeshiva League teams from the east coast as well as their experiences at Saracheck. Want to know who’s the best team and players they played against or who’s the best Halpert bro......tune in and listen as all the answers are revealed on the Tip Off.  A special thanks to Shalhevet coach, Ryan Coleman for helping set this up, enjoy!

In this weeks episode of the “Tip Off” we bring you the man who only needs one name, Yogev!  Yogev Berdugo, the owner of Step It Up Basketball Academy talks about how he got started in basketball and his journey of becoming a walk on at Hofstra University.  He talks about how all his hard work and dedication to his craft helped him earn a professional contract playing basketball in Israel. Once his playing career stopped is when his basketball coaching career flourished. Yogev, went on to train players in all aspects of the game and ultimately created the first ever sleep away camp devoted solely to basketball, Step It Up!  In what might be his greatest achievement, he discusses how he trained, Israel’s sensation Yam Madar and how he helped him hear his name called in the NBA Draft!  Tune in and listen to his story of overcoming obstacles and his desire to chase his ultimate dream!

In this weeks episode of the “Tip Off” hosts Ari Witkes and Jason Aron take you to the Holy Land to interview the “Jewish Jordan,” Tamir Goodman.  The story of Tamir Goodman is one that’s going to keep you engaged and thirsting for more. The highlights of the show talk about his quick rise to stardom and the national spotlight for not only his basketball skills, but his commitment to his Jewish values and religion. He was a top 25 basketball recruit in the country and was destined for stardom at the University of Maryland.  The cover of Sports Illustrated is something everyone dreams of, let alone a religious Jew from Baltimore!  This episode will show you all of Tamir’s trials and tribulations of his journey, and how he had to overcome obstacles that were met at every level of his career. If you want to know how it was going toe to toe with NBA legend,  Carmelo Anthony and other future NBA stars, make sure to watch this must see episode. The story of perseverance will show you that through hard work, dedication, and staying true to your faith you can accomplish anything. Tune in to hear Tamir delve into his life after basketball and all his success both on and off the court!

In this weeks episode of the Tip Off we welcome Coach Ryan Coleman of the Shalhevet Firehawks. The conversation starts with his history and foray into Jewish hoops and how he established himself as the leader of the Firehawks. The Coach breaks down the history of the Steve Globerman tournament and all the great Yeshiva League players who have played in the tourney. The stinging loss of last seasons championship game to Frisch is still very much fresh in his mind. We also talk about the first family of LA basketball and it’s not the Ball boys but rather the Halpert’s!  Speaking of California basketball, coach Coleman discusses the heated rivalry between Shalhevet and YULA.  The show continues as we discuss his team being the 2x defending champions of the prestigious Saracheck Tournament as well as their crushing losses in the two previous Championships. Tune in and find out who’s the toughest player he’s seen in the Yeshiva League as well as some breaking news relating to the hopes for some actual basketball this season. This episode won’t disappoint and will leave you thirsting for more of the Tip Off!

In episode 2 Ari & Jay take a deep dive with the head coach of Yeshiva basketball Elliot Steinmetz.  They go into his coaching history, how he got to Yeshiva and how he took a middle of the road program to a top tier perennial powerhouse in D3 hoops.  Along the way we talk high school coaching, Elliot's favorite players to coach and coach against, the Covid pandemic and how it has affected basketball and much more.  Also a special guest appearance from D1 pitching prospect Jacob Steinmetz to cap things off.