NEW HAVEN, Conn. –
Michael Feinberg won't soon forget his trip to Budapest, Hungary. Feinberg made the journey with the USA Open Men's Basketball team for the 15th European Maccabi Games, and he will be coming home with a gold medal. Team USA beat Russia in the championship game.
"The most memorable part of the experience was being able to bond with different Jewish basketball players from across the world," said Feinberg, a rising sophomore at Yale. "If not for basketball, I probably would've never met most of the people there. It is amazing how the sport can bring people together."
Team USA rallied from a three-point deficit in the final four minutes against Russia to win the gold. Feinberg and his teammates then received their medals followed by the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.
"I can't even explain how special it was to represent my nation with the letters USA across my chest," Feinberg said. "Serving as an ambassador for the nation was a privilege, and I hope I made our nation proud."
Feinberg was able to share the experience with his older brother Robbie, who played at Harvard, graduating last spring.
"It was [Robbie's] last time playing competitive basketball on a formal stage, so it was really special to be by his side competing and playing together," Michael said. "It sent flashbacks to when we were kids running around in the rec league at 5 and 7 years old. It meant the absolute world to me to play with him."
Feinberg also got to bond with players from other countries, including trading items after games.
"I did a `Dwayne Wade' style jersey swap with one of the players from Israel, which was really special to me because it showed how basketball can bridge language and cultural barriers," he said.
Feinberg expects to benefit from the experience when he returns to Yale for his sophomore season.
"It was extremely fulfilling to go out and compete against many talented Jewish players from across the world and come back with the gold," he said. "It was a great sign that a lot of my hard work is starting to pay off, and it will motivate me to continue working hard moving forward."
