From court to court, lawyers play hoops

Their field is known for cutthroat competition, as they square off with depositions, testimonies, and briefs. When they’re not wearing suits, recent Touro Law Center graduates Alex Shkolyar and Ian “Yitzi” Ribald compete on the hardwood, connecting their profession with basketball.

“Basketball is an accessible sport, you don’t need equipment or weather conditions. All you need are your shoes and two hoops,” said Shkolyar, 26, marketing executive for Riballer Hoops, an organization that teaches basketball to yeshiva students in the metro area. Although Shkolyar could not practice basketball in high school because of health reasons at the time, fortune brought him to Ribald, 26, when they shared a law school dorm. “We studied law together and practiced basketball,” Ribald said. Together they brainstormed a dream of giving the law school a basketball team to compete against other law schools and corporate firms. “It allows us to network with other attorneys and in a basketball setting it’s more friendly and vivacious. It’s stress-free and better for communicating,” Ribald said.

A native of Dallas, Ribald grew up in a basketball-playing family and was accepted to Division I NCAA schools such as Fordham. Shabbat observance took priority and he chose Yeshiva University, a Division III school. Ribald rose to recognition as a top NCAA player in three-point shooting and became the school’s Most Valuable Player.

“YU worked out well, and I met my wife there as well,” said the Upper West Side resident. Alongside Ribald, his childhood friend Joe Belleli, 26, also chose YU because of his observance. Both brought their experience of playing against public school students. “It’s not just jumping and running, it’s about an understanding of the game,” said Belleli. He is currently pursuing an MBA at New York University while managing a real estate contracting firm.

Seeking to promote basketball in the Orthodox community, Ribald, Belleli, and Shkolyar founded Riballer Hoops, which provides training and lessons for yeshivas, day camps, and individuals.

“We played in Jewish and non-Jewish leagues and we know what it takes to be competitive,” Ribald said. “We’ve played against people who view basketball as a career.” Shkolyar notes that even for students who do not seek athletic glory, basketball can sharpen reflexes, improving studying abilities. “Being healthy is a mitzvah. When you’re strong, you can learn more and live longer.” In the coming weeks, Riballer will team up with Yachad, the Orthodox disabled youth organization, with basketball clinics.

Hints of a Jewish comeback in basketball include Israeli Omri Casspi on the Sacramento Kings and more recently the Women’s NIT champ Naama Shafir, 21, an Orthodox Israeli studying at University of Toledo, where the team adjusted its schedule in accordance with Shabbat. For Riballer Hoops, this means hiring more coaches for boys and girls teams. Combining Jewish values and athletic prowess, Belleli is predicting success for young Jewish athletes. “Every day a new talent is born, but the best athletes are great not only because of athletic skills but also for their knowledge. We teach unselfishness and teamwork.”