Living in Israel, playing professional basketball and a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings.
Welcome to the life of former Northampton Blue Devil and Amherst College standout Willy Workman.
The 6-foot-6 small forward who won a national championship at Amherst is currently playing for the Maccabi Haifa Basketball Club.
The team is part of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, which is the top division of professional Israeli basketball.
“Right now I am coming off the bench in an energy infusion role,” Workman emailed to the Gazette. “I play 30 to 35 minutes a game.”
Against the Kings on Oct. 10, Workman scored nine points and at times faced up former NBA champion Jordan Farmar.
He has played professionally in Israel for three years.
“Our league is much more physical than the NBA,” Workman said. “The NBA has rules in place to make the game more free flowing and exciting for the fans.”
The Israeli league’s rules permit more contact on and away from the ball. There are also no goaltending rules.
After flying back from Sacramento, Workman’s season started Oct. 16.
“The beginning of the season was a bit hurried,” Workman said. “But certain financial opportunities have to be chased when available.”
Individually, Workman’s game hasn’t changed.
“Anyone who saw me on a consistent basis in college would see a lot of similarities,” Workman said. “It’s about adapting and improving until you’re capable of having a similar influence at a higher level.”
Workman’s game blends speed with patience and a never-ending motor.
Workman has appeared in all six games for Maccabi Haifa (3-3), averaging 6.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals over 17.3 minutes per game.
Off the court, Maccabi Haifa provides Workman and his girlfriend with an apartment in the suburbs of Haifa.
“It is by far the most beautiful Israeli city I’ve lived in,” Workman said.
The team also provides Workman with a vehicle and covers other costs as well.
“Plane tickets, some meals, discounts at restaurants and movie tickets,” Workman said.
Outside of what the team covers, Workman gets spending money which is technically his salary.
For some players it could be $5,000 a month, whereas the top players can get up to six figures per month.
Getting paid to play basketball was something Workman always wanted.
“For me it’s only basketball,” Workman said. “Every day, all the time. It’s my job, my passion and my hobby. I don’t know anything else.”
Playing at Northampton with a post-graduate year at Deerfield Academy and then Amherst College, Workman is all about western Massachusetts, even in another country.
“I love being a part of the other part of Massachusetts,” Workman said referring to people asking if he’s from Boston. “I love the 413.”
The one negative of playing basketball in Israel is being away from family and friends.
“Hardest part of the job,” Workman said.
Workman also provided advice for local basketball players who dream of playing in college or beyond.
“Grind every day,” Workman said. “You want it? Go get it.”
