Ramapo Student Wins Gold in European Basketball Tournament

Wyckoff resident and Ramapo High School sophomore Alex Gitkin won the gold medal with the U.S. 16U basketball team at the European Maccabi Games in Vienna, Austria earlier this month.

"It is an honor to represent the U.S.A. at the Maccabi Games in Vienna," Gitkin said.

The team had to beat Germany, Austria, Turkey and Brazil to win the gold. The U.S. had lost their first game against Brazil 53-59, but won a final victory 60-57 against them in the championship game.

"Brazil is a very strong, big team and it's a great feeling winning the gold medal game," Gitkin said.

The Maccabi games are an Olympics-style competition held every four years for Jewish athletes. This year's was the 13th European Maccabi Games.