DOUG GOTTLIEB APPOINTED AS THE HEAD COACH FOR MACCABI USA’S OPEN MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THE 20TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, June 14, 2016 – Joshua Schachter, Open Men’s Basketball Chairman for the 20th World Maccabiah Games USA Organizing Committee, has appointed Doug Gottlieb as Head Coach for the USA Open Men’s Basketball team. Gottlieb, who works as a CBS College Basketball Analyst and host of The Doug Gottlieb Show, will lead a team of twelve Jewish athletes, ages 18-35, to compete in Israel, July 4-18, 2017. The World Maccabiah Games are the world’s third largest international sporting event, with over 9,000 total participants representing 75 countries.
Doug Gottlieb is a 3-time alumnus of Maccabi USA, having represented the United States as a member of the Open Men’s Basketball team at the 15th World Maccabiah Games in 1997, the Pan American Maccabi Games in Mexico City in 1999, and the 16th World Maccabiah Games in 2001, winning bronze, gold and gold medals, respectively.
“I am both humbled and honored to be named Head Coach for the USA Open Men’s Basketball team for the 20th World Maccabiah Games,” said Gottlieb. “Of the numerous playing experiences in my life, none compare culturally to the Maccabiah Games in Israel. Some of my closest friendships have been forged through this event, and arguably the greatest moment in my playing career was winning the gold medal, competing on the same team I will now be coaching. I plan on helping to facilitate life-changing experiences for our athletes, which will leave an indelible memory on all who participate.”
Gottlieb’s lifelong involvement in basketball began as a youth, and continued throughout college, most notably at Oklahoma State University, where he led the university to three straight NCAA College Basketball Tournaments, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2000. Considered by many as one of the best guards in college basketball history, he holds Oklahoma State’s record for assists and is tenth all-time in assists in the NCAA.
Upon graduation, Gottlieb began his professional basketball career playing for the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League. After a short stint with the Salina Rattlers of the International Basketball Association, Doug relocated to Russia, winning the Super League Championship with Ural Great Perm in 2001. That summer, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Summer League, and then finished up his playing career for Maccabi Ra’anana in Israel during the 2001-2002 season.
Gottlieb’s media career began in 2002 as he co-hosted a sports-talk radio show in Oklahoma City, as well as announcing college basketball games for ESPN. He was hired by ESPN Radio in 2003 to co-host GameNight, ESPN’s longest running radio show, while simultaneously contributing to the Dan Patrick Show, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and the NBA Today. Doug would further his career on-screen on ESPN, ESPN2 & ESPNU, appearing regularly on ESPN’s flagship program, SportsCenter. In 2012, Gottlieb left ESPN for CBS Sports.
For his accomplishments, Doug was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Maccabi USA is seeking qualified Jewish basketball players, ages 18-25, to compete on the Open Men’s Basketball team at the 2017 World Maccabiah Games. Tryouts will take place in the Los Angeles area from August 19-21, and on the east coast from August 26-28, location TBD. Applications are available online now at maccabiusa.com.
Maccabi USA builds Jewish pride through sports, generating the emotional intensity, high ideals, and powerful camaraderie of competition. We connect athletes, volunteers, and supporters with the global Jewish community. Our athletic, educational, and cultural experiences build Jewish identity, perpetuate Jewish continuity worldwide, and strengthen support for the State of Israel.
For more information, please contact Program Director, Shane Carr, at (215) 561-6900 x4147, or by email at scarr@maccabiusa.com, or Chairman Joshua Schachter at JSchachter@snowcm.com.
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. It strives to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish Continuity, Zionism and Excellence in Sport. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.
Maccabi USA is a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The organization is one of 38 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level.
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