Duke men’s basketball associate head coach Jon Scheyer has been named the head coach for the United States men’s basketball team that will compete in the 21st Maccabiah to be held in Israel in July 2022.
Traditionally held every four years, interrupted only by World War II, the Games have grown to include nearly 10,000 Jewish athletes from more than 75 countries competing in 40 sports, making it the third largest international sporting event in the world following only the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.
“I am honored to represent the United States in the Maccabiah” said Scheyer. “Playing in the Maccabiah was always something I aspired to do during my own playing career, and to have it finally work out for me to participate as the head coach is a dream come true. It will also be very meaningful for me to be back to Israel for this event, as the year I spent in Tel Aviv was among the most meaningful of my life. I can’t wait to return as part of such an incredible tradition and am looking forward to making the USA proud.”
After a standout four-year career at Duke, Scheyer went on to play professionally with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA D League; in the EuroLeague with Maccabi Tel Aviv; and with Gran Canaria in the Spanish League. He returned to Duke as a special assistant for the 2013-14, and has since been promoted to associate head coach.
In seven seasons on the staff, Scheyer has aided in the development of such stars as Jayson Tatum, Tyus and Tre Jones, Grayson Allen and RJ Barrett, while the team has averaged 25 wins per season. Playing in 144 consecutive games for head coach Mike Krzyzewski, Scheyer earned All-America honors and ended his time at Duke as the only player in school history to record at least 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 250 three-point field goals and 200 steals. The former captain helped lead the Blue Devils to two ACC title and the 2010 national championship.
“Jon’s pedigree cannot be matched; few people have had such an accomplished career in basketball collectively as a player and coach,” said Josh Schachter, co-chair for Open men’s basketball for the 21st Maccabiah. “We could not be more excited to have Jon lead the United States men’s basketball team at the 2022 Maccabiah. The young men selected to the team will have an opportunity to learn and be mentored by one of the premier basketball minds in the world. We are very fortunate that Jon has a passion for the Maccabiah and is eager to embark on this journey with us.”
A native of Northbrook, Ill., Scheyer led his high school team to an Illinois High School Association Class AA state basketball championship in his junior year. That squad is the only high school state championship basketball team in the nation known to have an all-Jewish starting line-up.
