Sports Illustrated dubbed him "The Jewish Jordan" in 1999 for his prowess on the high school basketball court.

Eight years later, Tamir Goodman, an Orthodox Jew, has signed a contract to play pro ball for his hometown Baltimore Nighthawks, a franchise in the new Premiere Basketball League, which makes its debut in January.

Goodman — a six-foot-three, 180-pound guard who wears a kipa and tzitzit while he plays — averaged more than 35 points per game in his junior year at Baltimore's Talmudical Academy. He was awarded a scholarship from the University of Maryland, but quit when the team refused to accommodate his Shabbat observance. Instead, he attended Towson University in Maryland, but left after disputes with the basketball coach.

Goodman moved to Israel, where he played for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Givat Shmuel, a situation made difficult because of high expectations and a series of injuries.

The Nighthawks have promised to honor Goodman's religious commitment, a key point in his signing with the fledgling league. They have designed their schedule so he will miss only two home games.

Goodman spoke with NJ Jewish News via telephone after a press conference announcing his signing with the Nighthawks.

NJJN: So how does it feel to be back in your hometown?

Goodman: Very good, thank God. I'm very excited. I can't thank the Nighthawks enough for making this possible and working everything out with Shabbos. Every Jewish kid should now know that you can be a pro basketball player or a professional in any field without doing it on Shabbos.

NJJN: So what made you decide to return to the States to play?

Goodman: It's a new professional league with a new attitude and a new motto, and that's really what attracted me the most. It's going to be like sports was 25 or 30 years ago: camps and clinics, family-friendly, hardworking. It's going to be pure basketball.

NJJN: Do you think there's more pressure on you playing in Baltimore than there would have been had you signed with another team?

Goodman: I don't really think that way. I know what Hashem expects from me; I know what my job is, which is to play as hard as I can play and be the best Jew that I can be and the best person — and more than that you can't do. I can only do what's in my hands, which is work very hard and daven very hard and try to inspire as many kids as possible.

NJJN: How does the level of competition in Israel compare with the American game?

Goodman: In general, American basketball is more free-flowing. Israeli and European basketball is very structured. You have to run plays all the way through to the end. Here, there's more freedom, more instinct.

NJJN: I imagine the new league will be seen by many players as a stepping stone to the NBA. How about you?

Goodman: I know in general, a lot of players have that in mind…. I don't really think about [the NBA]. I think about what I need to do for the Nighthawks.

NJJN: Have you returned to the United States on a permanent basis or will you be going back to Israel when the season is over?

Goodman: We [Goodman is married and the father of two] will probably return at some point after the season is over, but then I'll be back in the summer because I have my camps and my clinics. I do a lot of motivational speaking, with basketball and kids and Yiddishkeit. I hope the Jewish community will support us as much as possible so we can really make a positive statement.

NJJN: You established your own nonprofit organization in Israel that uses basketball and other sports to help underprivileged children and victims of war and terrorism. Do you plan on getting involved with community work in Baltimore?

Goodman: [The Nighthawks] want to start that up and we're looking for charities. That's what this team is about and that's what attracted me so much.

NJJN: Do you think having such a reputation as a younger player helped or hurt you? Were expectations too high?

Goodman: I'm positive and happy with everything that's happened to me. I'm very fortunate to be able to live my dream and not have to play on Shabbos and to use everything I have to motivate the next generation. I have no complaints; I have only thanks.