Casspi carrying torch for Israel

Kings power forward living his NBA dream

When Omri Casspi was 13, his family took him on a Bar Mitzvah trip to the United States. The highlight was a visit to New York City, where the Israeli youngster stood in front of Madison Square Garden and boldly vowed he would one day play basketball there.

"It was more of an illusion; I'm sure thousands of other Israeli kids did the same thing," Casspi said. "But it's a dream that somehow came true."