Taking her game to Israel

Kent-Levin selected to play in Maccabiah Games

NORTH SMITHFIELD — Sammy Kent-Levin couldn’t be any happier about her summer 2017 plans.

They will feature a basketball-related trip to Israel after the 2016 North Smithfield High graduate learned Tuesday that she had secured a spot on Team USA’s Open Women’s Basketball tournament entry in the 20th World Maccabiah Games, running from July 4-18, 2017.

The news of Kent-Levin’s inclusion on a national squad that age-wise ranges from 18 to 35 comes three weeks after she traveled to Ardsley, N.Y. for a two-day tryout.

Kent-Levin confirmed her roster spot on Twitter – “Proud to announce that I'll be representing USA at the world games in Israel next summer!” – and later in a phone interview while vacationing with family members in Florida. The noteworthy accomplishment comes following a month of July that was highlighted by the former Northmen standout signing her National Letter of Intent to hoop it up at Division II Post (Conn.) University and also ink a professional modeling contract with Boston-based Model Club Inc.

“I’m so excited and surprised just from the standpoint of where I’m from,” said Kent-Levin. “It’s amazing. I’m in shock.”

The 5-8 forward was one of 40 players from across the country to receive an invi- tation to tryout for Maccabi USA. At 18 years old, she was one of the youngest players to step onto the court with the hope of getting picked to represent the Red, White and Blue.

“Most of the girls were from big D-I schools … Yale, Harvard, USC. They were also seniors … 21 or 22 years old,” Kent-Levin said. “I was fairly confident that things went well and I made a good impression with the coaches. I pushed myself harder than I have in any tryout.”

Kent-Levin is one of the 14 definite participants on Team USA, which will also be sending three alternates to Israel. As an added twist, the World Maccabiah Games will also feature a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that Kent-Levin is eyeing. All told, Israel will play host to athletes from 80 nations who are slated to compete in 43 different sports and 3,000 tournaments.

See ISRAEL, page B3

“I’m so excited and surprised just from the standpoint of where I’m from. It’s amazing. I’m in shock.” – Sammy Kent-Levin

Photo by Ernest A. Brown North Smithfield’s Sammy Kent-Levin, who is headed to Division II Post University next month to play basketball, was selected to be on the women’s Open United States basketball team at next year’s Maccabiah Games in Israel.