Nissim Shiran is an unlikely person to be drafted as the no. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Born in 1999 in Israel to a Ashkenazi father named Noam Shiran psychologist and an Ethiopian Jewish mother named Meskie Shiran who emigrated to Israel during Operation Solomon and subsequently worked as an administrator for the Israeli Customs and Immigration Office. Nissim grew up as a gifted athlete, excelling in Soccer, it wasn’t until Nissim was 14 that he began to play basketball. Nissim watched NBA footage relentlessly studying players like Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard. By the age of 16 Nissim, moved away from his hometown of Ashkelon and lived with his Aunt so he could begin to play with the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Team. When Nissin was 17 he made his professional debut playing for the Premiere Tel Aviv Team, her performed remarkably well starting for Tel Aviv in the point guard position, leading the team to the Israeli Championship. Despite the fact that Shiran would have likely been a lottery pick if he entered the NBA draft at 18, he instead went in a different direction.
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At 6’4” Shiran had very good length and size for the point guard position, he performed exceptionally well athletically, but also possessed a high basketball IQ. Shiran developed a great handle and was able to switch speeds effortlessly. Shiran’s shot was always mechanically solid and although he was a bit of streak shooter at a young age it looked like he could develop a deadly shot from the 3-point range. Shiran was also crafty around the basket, drawing fouls and athletically converting difficult shots. Shiran had everything an NBA scout could want.
At the age of 18 Shiran went into the Israeli military. There he served for two years, getting a deferment after 24 months, forging the the last six months of his military service to again return the the Tel Aviv professional team. Sharim did not seem to miss a beat, this time at the age of 20 Sharim led Tel Aviv in points and assists and earning even more adulation from scouts worldwide. In 2020 Nissim Shiran entered his name into the NBA draft.
By the time the draft combine was finished Nissim Shiran and Garick Williams, a Duke standout were projected to go no. 1 and no. 2. After winning the draft lottery the Brooklyn Nets seemed poised to take Garick Williams. The team had drafted the PG Justin Erwin no. 3 the season before and even though Erwin had an injury ridden 1st season, he showed lots of promise as the starting PG for the Nets going forward. The Nets also had another promising PG by the name of Roy Anderson that they had drafted the year previously at no. 7. Since the Nets had a glaring hole at SF it seemed logical that they would select Garick.
So when Nissim Shiran was selected first overall in the 2020 draft it took the crowd at Madison Square Garden by surprise. Yet it was a banner day for Israeli basketball and for Nissim Shiran, who became the first Israeli player ever to be drafted in the lottery, much less no. 1 overall. Nissim was overjoyed of course. What would his NBA career bring? Would he live up to his promise? How would the Nets coach Jeff Van Gundy handle playing time for three quality PGs. Would Nissim become a leader for his team and get along with his teammates? Would Nissim bring a championship to Brooklyn?