Israeli basketball star Omri Casspi notched up another triumph. However, it wasn’t on the court this time. It’s common for sports athletes to step into the business world after retirement. In fact, there are quite a few good examples of that in the NBA, with some earning more as businessmen than as players. At the same time, these sports luminaries continue to give back to the community. It wasn’t surprising that the Israeli man chose the same path too.

Most might remember the former NBA player for his contributions to the sport and several other aspiring players. He was the first Israeli basketball player to make it into the NBA and opened doors for others. Now, equally important is his journey in the business world after his retirement, which now sees his recent venture reach new heights.

Omri Casspi’s Swish ventures raises $60 million 

Before the retired NBA player’s first foray, here is how far Casspi has pushed his ventures. Swish Ventures is the second firm started by the basketball star. This is still an early-stage investment fund dedicated to supporting some of the promising Israeli startups.

Focusing on a particular sector, it looks for companies in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. And just two years after the launch, Swish Ventures raised a huge $60 million. The plans and aims for the funds are to help 10 companies with $5 million to $7 million per deal.

“We are launching Swish at a time when the importance of the high-tech sector to Israel is maturing. The industry continues to bring foreign investments into the country. We are hands-on working with entrepreneurs on building large and global Israeli companies,” Casspi said.

Now, the success of Swish Ventures is tied to Casspi’s previous venture. Casspi launched The Sheva Capital in 2022. Sheva Capital’s portfolio included Upwind as well as Stephen Curry’s Penny Jar. The company’s founders, who benefited from The Sheva Capital, are investors in Swish Ventures. Upwind’s founder Amiram Shachar, EON founder Ophir Ehrlich, Upwind, and PointFive’s co-founders Gal Ben-David and Alon Arvatz are among the 25 investors who joined the roster. Sequoia Capital is the key investor in the field. 

“I’m fully hands-on continuing the growth of our companies, but we will not be raising another fund under Sheva,” Casspi, who is managing both the funds, told TechCrunch about the job.

The retired NBA player also has the Omri Casspi Foundation. This foundation is supported by the National Basketball Players Association. It sees the NBA players, WNBA players, and other celebrities on sponsored trips to Israel. Casspi aspires to expand the ventures’ presence, just as he had a spectacular career in the league. 

Omri Casspi’s glorious 10-year NBA career in the league

Born in Israel in June 1988, Casspi always dreamed of becoming an NBA player. In 2005, Casspi won the State Youth Championship for the first time at the age of 13. Following this, he began his professional career by playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. The following year, he won the Israeli Cup. The basketball star also claimed the Israeli Super League Championship in 2009. His roster of honors also includes the ISL Sixth Man of the Year, Discovery of the Year award, and a spot on the All-ISL Team in 2009.

In the same year, the basketball star declared for the NBA draft and was the No. 23 pick drafted by the Sacramento Kings. Omri played for Sacramento from 2009 to 2011. The 36-year-old had a chance to play in the NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge and the NBA All-Star Weekend H–O–R–S–E Competition. 

During his illustrious 10-year NBA career, he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Playing 588 regular-season games, he averaged 7.9 points and 4.0 rebounds. He was left off the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 postseason but he received a championship ring.

After a last stint with the Warriors, he returned to play with Maccabi Tel Aviv. “Returning to Maccabi was a coming-full-circle moment, to the home where I grew up and was educated. It was a difficult time, but I will always remain a fan and lover of Maccabi,” Casspi said.

He was also named Israeli Player of the Month in 2019. It’s been more than three years since the basketball legend retired from the pro league. “Basketball has given me a lot over the years. I reached the peaks of European and world basketball that I never dreamed of. I did not believe I’d make those dreams come true. I realized it was my time to quit active basketball play, and start the next stage of life” he said. And indeed, he is making the most of his post-retirement career.