NEW YORK (VINnews)-Zevi Samet etched his name into Yeshiva University men’s basketball history Saturday, surpassing Ryan Turell as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,163 career points.
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The senior guard from Monsey, New York, reached the milestone during a dominant 95-75 victory over St. Joseph’s University Brooklyn in Skyline Conference play. Samet scored 23 points in the game, including the record-breaking basket — a three-pointer that sent the crowd at the Max Stern Athletic Center into celebration. The public address announcer confirmed the achievement as the gym erupted.
Samet, a 6-foot-2 guard known for his sharpshooting and consistent scoring, entered the season already among Division III’s top active scorers. He overtook Turell, a former three-time All-American who finished his Yeshiva career with 2,158 or 2,159 points (sources vary slightly on the exact prior mark) and now plays professionally in Israel. Samet tied the record earlier in the game before breaking it, then added more points to finish at 2,163.
The night also marked a milestone for head coach Elliot Steinmetz, who earned his 200th career victory at Yeshiva. Steinmetz, who has led the Maccabees since 2014, guided the program to a 50-game winning streak from 2019-2021 — the second-longest in Division III history — and multiple Skyline Conference titles.
Yeshiva (record not specified in immediate reports) continued its strong play in the Skyline, showcasing the depth and resilience that have defined the program under Steinmetz.
Samet, who has averaged over 22 points per game in recent seasons and earned accolades including Skyline Player of the Year, has been a cornerstone since arriving at Yeshiva. His rise highlights a blend of on-court talent and off-court values, as he often credits family support and community in post-game reflections.
The achievement caps a building narrative for Samet, who passed 2,000 points earlier this season and has long been positioned to claim the program’s scoring crown.
Yeshiva’s men’s basketball program, competing in NCAA Division III, continues to build on its legacy of success both athletically and academically.
VIN missed the best part of the story. If you listen to the interview in the second video, he is thanking Hashem from beginning to end. That is amazing.
Zevi is a walking Kiddush Hashem. He is as much of a beast in the Beis Medrash as he is on the court. He wasn’t raised in the Shtetl and he is a phenomenal example of what it means to put in the time, effort and consistency to achieve the highest results in ANY situation. My prediction is that he will end up being a phenomenal Rosh HaYeshiva (ala Yoni Fisher / Rabbi Kalish, etc ) and bring many marginally frum boys onto the true path of knowing themselves and having a real relationship with the Ribono shel Olam. Kol HaKvod Zevi. May you go m’chayil, l’chayil and always be a light and inspiration to those around you!
Mamash a Godol Hador!!!
As Rav Yochanan told Reish Lakish, Cheileich Lioraysoh!
Use your special kochos for Milchamta Shel Torah!
Kol HaKovod! Although, I must say that there was not much of a crowd (unless you hold “three’s a crowd”). I guess everyone else is here on VIN posting as the “frummer-than-thou” crowd.
Can someone explain the difference between Division I, Division II, and Division III?
Kiddush Hashem?. Still havent foud any Torah source that woukd explain how excelling at sports axalts HKBHs name. And I found it ironoc that their team is called the Maccabies, when it was yhe Maccabies whi were Moser nefesh that Tarbus Yavan (sports?) shouldn’t infiltrate KlalmYisael
Who cares?
How many of our Buchrim will see this and think learning in Yeshiva, playing sports & wearing shorts are somehow compatible?