By Noah Ohayon

Hillel Baynash sits comfortably on his bed in his compact New York City apartment on 187th Street in Washington Heights. The bright LED lights from the corner store across the street flood the room, reminiscent of the vibrant glow of Times Square, just a 40-minute subway ride away.

On the doorpost of his room hangs a mezuzah, a constant reminder of his dedication to his faith.

“Judaism is the most important part of my life,” Baynash stated. “It guides my relationships and how I act and speak.”

He’s sporting his team-issued Yeshiva University blue warmup jacket and gray-and-blue YU kippah. In the corner of his room are his bright neon-pink basketball shoes and leg sleeve, a staple of his on-court attire. “I like to have a little flair on the court,” he said. “I think it’s just fun and cool. I like to bring my personality into basketball as well.”

Walking to his apartment, Baynash stopped countless times to talk to friends and teammates, laughing and cracking jokes. He seemingly knew everyone at Yeshiva University, a small Jewish college with just over 2,300 students. His presence on campus is effortless and charismatic, making it easy to overlook the hard work and discipline that have shaped his unconventional journey to Division III basketball at YU.

Baynash’s love for basketball began when he was 6 years old. He was born and raised in Dallas; his first experience with the sport was at the Aaron Family JCC. He is the son of Amy and David Baynash and brother of Avi, Ezra and Leora.

“I remember my mom would always push me; she’d point out other players in the JCC leagues and tell me, ‘You gotta be like this kid, you gotta be like that kid,’” Baynash said. “I think that pushed me to practice and work on my skills.”

In addition to the local JCC leagues, he would constantly shoot hoops in his driveway and practice at basketball camps in the summer. Baynash was initially drawn to basketball as a way to challenge himself and push his limits.

“Basketball has always been a competitive outlet for me and really tests my discipline,” he noted. “It gives you an opportunity to see how your practice improves you, letting you see that real change.”

Raised in a modern Orthodox Jewish household and educated at Akiba Yavneh Academy from preschool to 12th grade, Baynash has also carried Jewish values into his approach to basketball since he first started playing.

“A big part of my values and my upbringing is that you are always part of a team, it’s never just about you,” he said. “Because of that, I was always a very selfless player and I was always trying to do whatever the team needed; I think that has helped me throughout my journey.”

It wasn’t until the end of middle school that Baynash set his sights on playing college basketball.

“At that time, I think I began to improve and I started to have a lot of really good memories of playing basketball,” he said. “So I realized that I wanted to continue playing because I really enjoyed it. It became a real passion of mine.”

By the time high school arrived, Baynash had transferred to a school in Skokie, Chicago, for his freshman year. After a semester there, he returned home to attend Yavneh Academy of Dallas, a small Jewish high school with just over 100 students. Despite his passion for the game, he didn’t make the team during his first year at the school.

“My freshman year, I wasn’t as good. So when I transferred, I wasn’t on the team,” he said. “It was hard for me to even watch games because I wasn’t on the team. I wasn’t able to play while some of my friends were.”

The next year, Baynash made the team but didn’t play much. In fact, his team had won the 2020 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools 3A state championship, making them the first Jewish team in the country ever to win a basketball state championship.

“Sitting on the bench and watching my team make history was an eye-opening experience for me,” he said. “It led me to work really hard; it was a major turning point in my life because I wasn’t in the greatest shape and I wasn’t the hardest worker.”

While rewatching the state championship game, Baynash came across a quote that left a lasting impression on him.

“I’ll always remember a quote from the broadcast that I used to listen to on repeat. Our coach told the announcer, ‘We’ll play 10, but we really only run seven deep.’ Hearing that was a wake-up call because I was the eighth guy; it was like, ‘Damn, my coach really said that.’ It struck me that a coach would never say something like that to your face, but I guess that’s what he truly believed. That moment really kicked me in the butt and made me want to work hard.”

At this time, Baynash drew significant inspiration from the late Kobe Bryant and connected with his notorious “Mamba Mentality.”

“Kobe Bryant has really become a central figure in my life because I think he embodied the work ethic and discipline that I strive to have, not only on the court but off the court as well,” he reflects.

His admiration for Kobe deepened as he explored what led to Bryant’s success, realizing that it was not just talent but a strong mindset and unbreakable work ethic that played crucial roles.

“I’ve become the first one in the gym and the last one out and I think that really speaks to who you are as a person,” he said.

During his junior and senior years, Baynash would arrive at school at 5 a.m. four days a week, dedicating his mornings to working out on the court before anyone else arrived. In addition to his early practice sessions, he maintained a consistent conditioning and weight training routine.

During his senior year, Baynash’s hard work paid off. As the starting point guard, he helped lead Yavneh to the state championship game. Although they fell short in the state final, Baynash earned recognition for his solid senior season. He was named to the TAPPS 3A District 3 First Team, earned TAPPS 3A District 3 Defensive Player of the Year and secured a spot on the TAPPS 3A All-State Team.

During his senior year of high school, Baynash looked into a few other Division III colleges to play basketball but didn’t get into any of them. However, YU was always near the top of his list.

“It happened to be that Yeshiva University recently had a lot of success, so they became a premier school in Division III and a place where it would be really cool to play,” he said. “Going there would give me the opportunity to play high-level basketball while being able to practice my faith.”

Baynash applied to Yeshiva University and was accepted, ultimately deciding to enroll. However, there were several important considerations: He hadn’t been recruited, had no guaranteed spot on the team and was planning to take a gap year in Israel before attending school.

“At first, going to Israel was concerning,” Baynash said. “I wondered, how am I going to keep working so hard without knowing if I have a spot on the team? Is this all just for fun or will it lead to something?”

Despite his concerns about basketball, Baynash recognized the importance of studying for a year in Israel.

“Judaism places a central value on Israel, alongside the importance of learning about our traditions, and the Torah,” he said. “Many kids in our community spend a year in Israel, taking the time to deepen their understanding of their faith and grow into themselves. I did that as well.”

While living in Israel for the year, Baynash maintained a strict workout routine.

“Living in Jerusalem, I took a 20-minute bus ride each morning to the gym and was usually the only person on board. I remember catching the first bus of the day, waiting for the gym to open at 6 a.m., working out and then heading to Yeshivat Torat Shraga. It felt great to know I was the first one up every day.”

While in Israel, Baynash maintained contact with the YU head coach, making his interest in playing for the team extremely clear. While he wasn’t guaranteed a roster spot, he was determined to prove his commitment and skills.

“When I first came to Yeshiva University after a year in Israel, I was in the gym every day, all the time,” he said. “Whenever there was someone else in the gym, I was there first. I think that set the example of who I was as a player. Along with being able to show my full skillset during tryouts and in front of the coach, I believe that is what earned me a spot on the team.”

Baynash reflects on his playing style and what he believes sets him apart on the court.

“I give the most effort on every play. So that shows up a lot in defense and going after loose balls and communication on the court,” he said. “Something I think I’ve worked really hard to develop is being a knockdown shooter. I shoot three-pointers with a lot of consistency at a high clip.”

Finally, it was time for Baynash to step onto the court for his college debut, where he saw his hard work pay off as he earned valuable minutes off the bench.

“I walked onto the team, so I wasn’t necessarily a recruit,” he said. “A lot of the other guys had been recruited highly. In my first game, I came in early off the bench, probably seventh or eighth, which meant I was one of the first few subs. That moment felt huge for me because it showed I had proven myself in practice. Not only had I made the team, but I could compete just as well as anyone else, if not better.”

Being a student-athlete is already a challenging balancing act, but at YU, students face an even greater load with the demands of both secular and Judaic studies. Baynash emphasized the importance of his continued discipline and diligence when balancing his academic and athletic commitments.

“With Judaic and secular curriculum, our classes run from 9 a.m. until as late as 6 p.m.,” he said. “Add morning practices and workouts during lunch breaks, and free time becomes nonexistent if you don’t manage your time well. Time management became something I had to master and I had to be incredibly diligent about it.”

Despite the challenges of being a student-athlete at YU, Baynash’s journey is deeply rooted in his faith and his commitment to proudly representing his team and Jewish heritage.

“A big part of our team culture is representing Israel and the Jewish people in the best light possible,” he said. “Last year, we went to Israel as a team and helped do charity work and uplift the spirits of a nation that’s currently in a war. So that’s always the north star of our team — create a good example. The most fulfilling part of playing basketball at YU is knowing that people look up to you as a role model and therefore, you know all of your actions can inspire others and lead others to success.”

This year, the YU basketball team is stacked with talent, boasting several tenured upperclassmen and a couple of Division 1 recruits. However, as Baynash kicks off his sophomore year, he focuses on growth and staying ready for whatever opportunities the future may bring.

“My role this season might be more reduced in terms of on-the-court,” he said. “But that’s why you have to play every day and practice to earn yourself an opportunity. I just want to have an opportunity to help my team on the court and get the experience of getting minutes on the court. If it’s not this year, then next year. And if it’s not next year, then maybe the year after. No matter when, I’ll be ready.”