Despite injury, Woodmere teen enjoys Games

Though injured, Woodmere resident Matisyahu Zamir traveled to the 2022 Maccabi Games in San Diego July 31 to Aug. 5 to help ensure the boy’s 16U basketball team made up of teens from Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn fielded the required minimum of seven players.

Zamir, 14, is one of the youngest on the team that played in the 16-year-old division. When he was younger, Zamir played in the Mid-Atlantic Mini & Junior Maccabi Games for children 9 to 12. 

Lingering pain in his right leg was diagnosed as a stress fracture by a foot and ankle specialist. The doctor said he could not to play in the Games. Matisyahu decided to attend anyway.

“My experience was an interesting one,” Zamir said. “We only had eight guys on the team including me, so on the bench, I helped out the coach, I helped myself by just watching the game and learning.”

His father, Ziv Zamir, said that decision would not only help the team but also be a great experience for his son. “We thought it was best for the team that even though he couldn’t play, he would be a part of the delegation so the rest of the team could play,” Ziv said. “He was very much looking forward to the whole experience and we felt if anything, he'll get a good experience out of it.”

Zamir traveled to the games with his younger brother, Uzi, and his aunt, Chumi Diamond, for support him. Mom, Seri, and dad remained home with the family expecting a baby this month.

He was able to support his team and experience Maccabi’s Olympic-style opening ceremonies and a whole other environment. “He got to see San Diego, go off on his own, travel with a friend of his, and spend the week getting the experience of the Maccabi Games, which is like the Jewish Olympics,” Ziv said. “He didn't get to compete, but he was a good sport. He was able to sit on the bench and encourage his team.”

Zamir has played sports for the majority of his 14 years and has picked up quite a few bumps and bruises along the way. While no mother likes to see her kids hurt, Seri said she was excited that he was traveling and thought it was an opportunity to see the game at a whole other level.

“He's had quite a few injuries to his legs, and he broke his wrist but he's a real trooper and he has very good coaches and very good mentors,” she said. “They explained to him that when you have an injury, it gives you time to strengthen the other parts of your body, and by being on the bench, you see a different science to the game.”

While Team Long Island did not medal at the Maccabi Games, it was still an experience that Zamir thought was beneficial. “I wanted us to win, but we practiced together and that’s why I went all the way there to support them,” he said. “Even though I didn’t play, the experience was amazing. It’s so much more than just a basketball tournament. I met so many people from different places like Chicago, Houston and California, and all these different places. To spend time connecting with them and making good friendships. I still text them and they’re just fun kids.” 

Matisyahu played basketball at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach and has played hoops since the third grade. He plans to try out for the Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys junior varsity team.

Ziv said the Maccabi experience would only help Zamir improve as an athlete. “Ultimately he wanted the experience and the atmosphere and got a taste of the level of competition,” Ziv said. “It’s a very high-level type of play and he is determined to go back now that he knows what it's all about.”