UNC Pembroke basketball standout Josh Berenbaum has earned the honor of a lifetime — a spot on Team USA for the upcoming Maccabiah Games in Israel, a global showcase of the world’s top Jewish athletes.
This summer, Berenbaum will compete on an international stage with Olympic-like prestige, representing his country while chasing his dream of playing professional basketball overseas.
For Berenbaum, the Maccabiah Games represent more than just high-level competition — they’re a chance to celebrate his Jewish heritage, connect with athletes worldwide and make an impression on international scouts.
“It’s a huge honor to represent my country and my family on an international stage,” Berenbaum said. “To wear ‘USA’ across my chest while embracing my culture and competing at the highest level — it’s something I’ve dreamed about.”
Berenbaum turned heads at a nationwide tryout in Philadelphia last summer, earning an immediate invitation to join Team USA. UNCP head coach Drew Richards said Berenbaum’s selection came as no surprise.
“Josh was like the coach on the floor for us this year,” Richards said. “He has a high basketball IQ. Before you consider his skills on the court, his personality and character set him apart from many other guys.
“When you tack on that he’s 6’8 and 220 pounds and shoots the three at 40%, can finish inside, dribble and pass –– it’s a great culmination of a lot of key points that create a player who would be highly sought after at the professional level,” Richards continued.
Berenbaum, a St. Petersburg, Fla. native, comes from a strong basketball lineage — his parents and his sister played at the collegiate level, and his grandfather was also a standout player at Butler University. Berenbaum graduated with an accounting degree in December and is working toward an MBA.
During his two seasons with the Braves, Berenbaum was instrumental in the team’s success, helping lead UNCP to back-to-back Conference Carolinas Tournament championships. His game-winning layup against Lincoln Memorial in the regional opener pushed the Braves into their first-ever regional final, but they ultimately fell to Lenoir-Rhyne.
Although the season is over, Berenbaum remains focused, training regularly as he prepares for Team USA’s official camp in New Jersey this June. The Maccabiah Games are the world's second-largest international sporting event and will have 10,000 athletes from 80 countries participating in over 40 sports. The games begin July 8.
“Ultimately, this is a reward for Josh for all the hard work he has put in,” said Richards, adding that Berenbaum’s selection brings visibility to the Braves’ program.
“Anytime you can get positive exposure to your brand, your institution and your program, it benefits not only the basketball side of things but the university as a whole,” Richards said. “To have the UNC Pembroke brand out there for people to see and represented so well by a high-character person like Josh will benefit our institution, so we are proud of him and glad he’s getting that opportunity.”
Berenbaum hopes a strong showing at the Maccabiah Games will pave the way for a professional contract overseas and extend his basketball career.
