Ryan Clamage grew up in Lake Forest, but always had his sights set on making aliyah, moving to Israel. His unusual path to getting there: professional basketball.

While attending high school at Lake Forest Academy, he excelled in both academics and athletics, playing basketball, golf, and baseball.

But hoops were his passion.

After a career-high senior year-earning him Third Team All-American honors from National Association of Basketball Coaches and selection as UAA Player of the Year-it was basketball that led him to the University of Rochester, New York. He graduated last spring with degrees in business and political science-and with an offer to play professional ball with Maccabi Raanana, a Division 2 program near Tel Aviv.

An added bonus to signing Clamage is that he can apply for Israeli citizenship. While European and Israeli league rules limit the number of non-citizens per team, “I would count as a native due to my Jewish heritage.”

Clamage says playing at the professional level will be challenging.

“The game is faster with a 24-second shot clock versus a 30-second (shot); the game is much more physical as well,” he said. By contrast, “the college game promotes freedom of movement, as the defense is rarely allowed to touch the offense.”

Off the court, Clamage is adjusting to life off the court in a foreign country.

“The biggest adjustment is meeting people. I am working on my Hebrew,” he said.

After his playing days, he hopes to use his business degree and get involved with venture capital–and what better place to start than the Startup Nation.