Interview by Karen Isenberg Jones

KIJ: You've been playing in Europe since 2009 beginning in Spain. Although you were playing in the B League you had a remarkable season leading the CB Grenada team to the most wins in one season in club history. After one year you signed with Maccabi. Tell me about your decision to go to Maccabi.

RH: For me, going to Maccabi and the chance to play for the Euroleague was the best opportunity. When I was playing in Spain we had the best season in the club history.  I had several offers from other teams in Spain and other countries. I chose Maccabi and the last two years were great.

KIJ: I assume you had never been to Israel before coming to play ball. What were your first impressions of Israel when you arrived?

RH: I had never been to Israel before, but one of my good friends was playing in the country. I never heard anything than positive things. The perception for most Americans is different. You just hear the negative things.   You only hear what you see in the news. You always think there's a lot of unrest going on in the Middle East and particularly in Israel, but after finding out from my friends that it's a great place to live and the people are passionate about basketball I felt good.  When I arrived I was really impressed from the second I landed to the moment I met the people from the organization there to welcome me. It made my entire time there pleasant.

KIJ: I'm sure you spent most of your tiime on the court both practicing and playing. Did you get a chance to really see Israel and experience the culture and people?

RH: Being there for two years – living there – and playing for Maccabi which is basically the country's national team – everyone knows you. You're are superstar status and you have to make a lot of public appeareances. I had the opportunity to go to several places both promoting the team and on my own days off.  I had the chance to see Jerusalem and see the holy sites and travel all over the country. I visited the Holocaust Museum, various memorials and many other sites that have to do with the existence of Israel. It was a humbling and very good experience. It was an enlightning experience.  I enjoyed the whole country. I enjoyed every moment.   I would definitely return.

KIJ: So, what's next for Richard Hendrix? You just signed a two year contract with Olimpia Milano in Italy. I also ran across a music video of you singing "Forget You" by Seelo. I have to say, you're not bad! Can we expect a singing career sometime in the future? 

RH: (In reference to singing) In Israel I had so many people approach me who wanted to do legitimate projects.  I don't know.  We'll see.  For me, at this time, it's all about basketball and seeing the world and growing as a person.  Next year I will be in Italy. It was a tough decision to leave Israel, but I felt it was the best decision for my career and to broaden my brand in the Euroleague. Israel holds a great place in my heart and one day I can see myself returning either to play basketball or even just to visit.  Now, I'm looking forward to going to Italy to play and further my career.  Another thing about playing in Israel - I feel like I have a connection to the Jewish community that I can take wherever I go. I made a great connection.

***Want to hear more about Richard Hendrix's experience playing basketball in Israel and meet the handsome 6'8" Alabama graduate in person?

The entire community is invited to an informal conversation with former University of Alabama basketball star Richard Hendrix next Tuesday, July 10 at 11:45am at the at the Levite Jewish Community Center board room.

Sponsored by: The Birmingham Jewish Federation's Israel Connections Committee 

Bring a bag lunch (LJCC requests a dairy lunch). Dessert and drinks will be provided.***

RSVP to BJF Staff Donna Berry at donnab@bjf.org or 879-0416.