What Is Jon Scheyer’s Ethnicity & Religion? Digging Deeper Into Duke Coach’s Nationality and Family Background

“So, you love coaching them.” That’s how Jon Scheyer explains his bond with the Duke Blue Devils — and honestly, it shows. Scheyer took over as Duke’s head coach in 2022 after the legendary Mike Krzyzewski retired. But his Duke story goes way back.

Scheyer played for Duke from 2006 to 2010, leading the team to a national title in his senior year. After a stint playing pro ball, he came back to Duke in 2013 to join the coaching staff. He worked his way up from assistant coach (2014–2018) to associate head coach (2018–2022) before stepping into the big chair.

Since then, Duke has stayed right at the top, pulling in top recruits and racking up big wins in the ACC. Scheyer’s love for Duke is obvious — and it’s a big reason why the program keeps thriving.

What is Jon Scheyer’s ethnicity?

Scheyer’s background is a mix, but his Jewish roots have always been a big part of his story. His parents, Jim and Laury, raised him in a Jewish household in Northbrook, Illinois — and that connection to his faith showed up early on. Back in high school, Scheyer was so dominant that people started calling him the “Jewish Jordan.” Yeah, that’s not a nickname you get unless you’re really that good. He even had a basketball-themed bar mitzvah — how cool is that?

And he didn’t just live up to the nickname — he blew past it. At Glenbrook North High School, Scheyer was a straight-up legend. He led the Spartans to a state championship as a junior and dropped 3,034 career points — making him the fourth-highest scorer in Illinois high school history. And get this — in one game, he scored 21 points in the last 75 seconds. That’s video game stuff.

His high school success earned him all the big honors — Illinois Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American in 2006. He was also named First-Team Parade All-American the same year. Let’s just say his high school jersey probably didn’t stay clean for long with all those awards.

What is Jon Scheyer’s nationality? Where was he born?

The 6-foot-6 guard has the best of both worlds — he’s Israeli-American. He was born on August 24, 1987, in Northbrook, Illinois, so he’s American by birth. But thanks to his Jewish heritage, he also holds Israeli citizenship — which turned out to be pretty clutch when he signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2011. Israeli league rules limited teams to four non-Israeli players, but Scheyer’s dual citizenship let him count as a local. Smart move.

But the road to Maccabi wasn’t exactly smooth. Scheyer went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft (which still feels wild). He joined the Miami Heat for the Summer League, but bad luck hit hard — Joe Ingles accidentally poked him in the eye during a game. Torn retina. Damaged optic nerve. His vision was never the same after that.

He gave it another shot with the Los Angeles Clippers in training camp, but they cut him before the season started. He played briefly with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA’s D-League, but it didn’t stick. So, he took his shot overseas — and that’s when things turned around.

In 2012, Scheyer helped Maccabi Tel Aviv win both the Israeli Cup and the Israeli League Cup. Not bad for a guy whose career almost ended before it even really started.

What religion does Jon Scheyer follow?

Scheyer’s Jewish faith has always been central to his life and career. He wasn’t just a Jewish player — he was one of the best Jewish athletes of his generation. That’s why he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 — and why playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv meant more than just basketball. He was representing something bigger than himself.

Off the court, Scheyer’s life is just as solid. In May 2017, he married his longtime girlfriend, Marcelle Provincial. The two make a great pair — and their family life reflects that. They’ve got two kids, Noa and Jett, who keep life busy and fun.

Scheyer’s not the type to draw attention for the wrong reasons, either. No drama, no scandals — just a guy balancing the demands of coaching with family life like a pro. Between leading Duke and raising two kids, you’d think he’d need a break. But honestly, he seems to thrive on it.

Scheyer’s story is one of resilience and evolution. From “Jewish Jordan” to championship-winning coach, he’s shown that hard work and dedication pay off. He’s not just following Coach K’s legacy — he’s building his own. And if the recent success is any sign, Duke basketball’s future looks just as bright as its past.