Sports
Pro basketball player running youth camps after returning to Israel: ‘A way to brighten their day'
The last time Fox News Digital spoke with Jared Armstrong, a Jewish American playing professional basketball in Israel, the Philadelphia-born Armstrong wasn’t sure of his next steps following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.
Following the attacks, Armstrong left the city where he lives, about 20 minutes from Gaza, to stay with a friend north of Tel Aviv as the conflict escalated.
Jared Armstrong plays basketball in Israel. (Jared Armstrong )
Armstrong returned to the United States not long after the start of the conflict, but he has since returned to Israel to continue playing basketball and to help Israeli youth as the war rages.
JAB Camp, a nonprofit Armstrong started in 2023 in Philadelphia, is being run in Israel as Armstrong attempts to give kids a respite from the conflict through basketball.
FIRED HIGH SCHOOL COACH SAYS HE’S ‘SCAPEGOAT’ OVER ANTISEMITIC SLURS DURING GAME
“Before the attacks, I planned on doing it down the road,” Armstrong told Fox News Digital about launching the JAB Camp in Israel. “It wasn’t to be doing this at such an early time. But, since the war, I felt it was a great way to shed light, it was a great way to inspire kids. Kids’ families, not only them, have been impacted. Kids from ages five all the way to 15, 16.
“Some kids have dads that are in the reserves, have family members that are in the reserves or are fighting in Gaza. So, I wanted to use sports as a perfect way to be transformative, not only with learning but also in spirit. A lot of kids’ spirits may be down, and I feel that this could be a way to brighten their day. They can look forward to going to JAB Camp every week for eight or nine weeks in a row.”
Armstrong’s nonprofit was created to “bring together Black and Jewish youth through the game of basketball” and to “speak out against anti-Black racism and antisemitism.”
“My goal with JAB Camp is to really shed light on a dark time. I want to use basketball as a mechanism to bring kids together — whether they’re from the south of Israel, from the north of Israel — and give them an outlet to forget for an hour or two hours about what’s happening in the world,” Armstrong said.
Jared Armstrong runs JAB Camp. (Jared Armstrong)
“Use this time as a sanctuary. Use this time as your temple of peace to be able to work together, build community, have fun, enjoy [and] learn. And, at the same token, be able to be better. My biggest goal is to give an outlet for kids. I know the light will be shown at the end of the tunnel if they continue to come.”
In early January, Armstrong visited two communities in southern Israel that were decimated by the Hamas attacks, saying it was “emotionally tough” to see what occurred.
“I visited kibbutz Kfar Aza, and I visited Nir Oz. We were one of the first groups to visit Nir Oz. They weren’t allowing people in there. And the amount of burnt houses that we saw when we walked through was just really petrifying. Every house has its own story of how they tried to escape or how they came in there and they killed someone,” Armstrong said of his visit to the communities near the Gaza border.
“No human deserves that,” Armstrong added. “So, it was a very emotional day. For me, it made me want to do more advocacy and diplomacy while I’m here. Speak out about what’s going on. I know I’m one of the only athletes speaking out about it, and I just feel it’s much needed.
“My biggest speech is peace. It has nothing to do with if you agree with the state of Israel or not. It’s right or wrong. No kid deserves to be killed. No baby deserves to be butchered. No woman deserves to be raped. If you stand with that, then I don’t have an answer for you.”
Jared Armstrong recently opened the camp. (Jared Armstrong)
With the conflict in its third month, anti-Israel protests continue across the world. Over the weekend, protesters and rioters gathered outside the White House, with some demonstrators damaging security fencing and hurling objects at police.
“They’re all trying to understand why,” Armstrong told Fox News Digital when asked how Israelis react to seeing protests.
“They don’t really understand how many people can — I don’t want to use the word ‘side’ — but not have empathy for what happened. A lot of people don’t have that simple empathy about what happened on Oct. 7. Forget politics. Forget anything else. It’s just about humanity. And a lot of people don’t understand that. So, they’re really saddened by it.”
Armstrong plays for Elizur Ashkelon in Ashkelon, Israel.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo made NBA history on Tuesday night.
Adebayo scored 83 points, all while setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. It is the second-highest scoring game for a player ever, only to Wilt Chamberlain’s famed 100-point game.
“An absolutely surreal night,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game.
Adebayo started with a 31-point first quarter. He was up to 43 at halftime, 62 by the end of the third quarter. And then came the fourth, when the milestones kept falling despite facing double-, triple- and what once appeared to be a quadruple-team from a Wizards defense that kept sending him to the foul line.
He finished 20 of 43 from the field, 36 of 43 from the foul line, 7 for 22 from 3-point range.
After the game, he was seen in tears while he hugged his mother, Marilyn Blount, before leaving the floor after the game.
“Welp won’t have the highest career high in the house anymore,” Adebayo’s girlfriend, four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, wrote on social media, “but at least it gives me something to go after.”
MAGIC’S ANTHONY BLACK MAKES INCREDIBLE DUNK OVER FOUR DEFENDERS IN HISTORIC NBA GAME
Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat celebrates during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026, in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The NBA’s previous best this season was 56, by Nikola Jokic for Denver against Minnesota on Christmas night. The last player to have 62 points through three quarters: one of Adebayo’s basketball heroes, Kobe Bryant, who had exactly that many through three quarters for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas on Dec. 20, 2005.
He wound up passing Bryant for single-game scoring as well. Bryant’s career-best was 81 — a game that was the second-best on the NBA scoring list for two decades.
Adebayo scored 31 points in the opening quarter against the Wizards, breaking the Heat record for points in any quarter — and tying the team record for points in a first half before the second quarter even started.
He finished the first half with 43 points, a team record for any half and two points better than his previous career high — for a full game, that is — of 41, set Jan. 23, 2021, against Brooklyn.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Adebayo’s season high entering Tuesday was 32. He matched that with a free throw with 5:53 left in the second quarter, breaking the Heat first-half scoring record.
Adebayo’s 43-point first half was the NBA’s second-best in at least the last 30 seasons — going back to the start of the digital play-by-play era that began in the 1996-97 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
BOSTON — Charlie McAvoy scored 39 seconds into overtime and Jeremy Swayman stopped 14 shots on Tuesday night to earn the Boston Bruins their 13th straight victory at home, 2-1 over the Kings.
Mason Lohrei scored midway through the third period to break a scoreless tie. But the Kings tied it five minutes later when Drew Doughty’s shot from the blue line deflected off the heel of Bruins forward Elias Lindholm and into the net.
It was the seventh straight time the teams had gone to overtime in Boston.
In the overtime, Mark Kastelic blocked a shot in the defensive zone and made a long pass to David Pastrnak, who waited for McAvoy to come into the zone. The Bruins’ defenseman and U.S. Olympian, who went to the locker room at the end of the second period after taking a puck off his mouth, skated in on Darcy Kuemper and went to his backhand for the winner.
Kuemper stopped 21 shots for the Kings, who entered the night one point out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The victory kept Boston in possession of the East’s second wild-card spot.
Swayman tied his career high with his 25th win of the season. The Bruins haven’t lost at the TD Garden since before Christmas.
After the game, Kings forward and future Hall of Famer Anze Kopitar stayed on the ice to shake hands with the Bruins after what is expected to be his last game in Boston.
Sports
Jon Jones requests UFC release after Dana White says legend was ‘never’ considered him for White House card
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Mixed martial arts legend Jon Jones ended his retirement from UFC simply because he wanted a spot on the “Freedom 250” fight card at the White House in June.
But, when UFC CEO Dana White announced the card during UFC 326 this past weekend, Jones wasn’t among the fighters. As a result, he has requested a release from his UFC contract.
White was candid when asked about Jones following the UFC 326 card.
Jon Jones of the United States of America reacts after his TKO victory against Stipe Miocic of the United States of America in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16, 2024 in New York City. ((Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images))
“Never, ever, ever, which I told you guys a hundred thousands times, was Jon Jones ever even remotely in my mind to fight at the White House,” White explained, per CBS Sports. “Some guy with Meta Glasses filmed him talking about his hips – that his hips are so bad. And I don’t know if you guys saw that flag football game where he can barely run. Jon Jones retired because of his hips. He’s got arthritis in his hips. Apparently, doctors say he should have a hip replacement.”
White added that “the Jon Jones thing is bulls—,” saying that he texted the fighter’s lawyer saying he would never be on the White House card despite Jones saying he was in negotiations for it.
UFC ANNOUNCES CARD FOR WHITE HOUSE EVENT
The Meta Glasses incident White is referring to came from a viral video, where Jones, unaware he was being filmed, discussed issues with his hips to a fan.
On Monday, Jones composed a thorough response to White’s comments about him and the White House Card. He previously posted and deleted social media explanations, but Monday’s appeared to be his final statement on the matter.
UFC President Dana White speaks after UFC Fight Night at Toyota Center on Feb. 21, 2026. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
“Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight,” Jones, who retired a heavyweight champion in 2025, said. “So let me get this straight, if I had accepted the lowball offer, suddenly my hip would be fine and I’d be on the White House card? That doesn’t make sense. I even received stem cell treatment last week to get ready for the White House card, and training camp was scheduled to start today. I was preparing to be ready.
“I understand business deals fall through sometimes, but going out publicly and saying things that aren’t true isn’t right. After everything I’ve given to the UFC, the years, the title defenses, the fights, hearing that I’m ‘done’ is disappointing. Especially when as recently as Friday UFC was calling me trying to get me on that White House card for a much lower number.”
Jones finished his statement by saying he “respectfully” asks to be released from his UFC contract.
Jon Jones enters the ring before facing Stipe Miocic in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“No more spins, no more games. Thank you to the real fans who know what’s up,” he wrote.
The UFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.
Jones is considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, owning a 28-1-1 record, which includes his last bout with Stipe Miocic, knocking him out to take the heavyweight title belt. He is also a two-time light heavyweight champion.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Shay Maloney’s overtime goal lifts Boston Fleet to road victory
Our dumpling challenge boils down to eight Denver metro restaurants
Seattle goal overturned for goalie interference as Predators complete 4-2 comeback win
Padres roster review: Miguel Andujar
Forest Home Avenue construction to resume in Milwaukee County
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
EXCLUSIVE: ICE says El Paso detention facility will stay open under new contractor after $1.2B deal scrapped
Von der Leyen ‘acting outside of competence,’ Araud tells Euronews
Wheelchair curler Steve Emt’s path from drunk driver to three-time Paralympian
Map: 2.3-Magnitude Earthquake Reported North of New York City
Trump stirs GOP primary drama with visit to Massie’s Kentucky home turf
-
Wisconsin1 week agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Pennsylvania6 days agoPa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
-
Detroit, MI5 days agoU.S. Postal Service could run out of money within a year
-
Miami, FL7 days agoCity of Miami celebrates reopening of Flagler Street as part of beautification project
-
Sports6 days agoKeith Olbermann under fire for calling Lou Holtz a ‘scumbag’ after legendary coach’s death
-
Virginia7 days agoGiants will hold 2026 training camp in West Virginia
-
Culture1 week agoTry This Quiz on the Real Locations in These Magical and Mysterious Novels