Tel Aviv, Israel – Jake Cohen stood at center court, his two kids by his side, as Maccabi Tel Aviv fans roared in appreciation. The American-Israeli forward had just been honored for his 500th game with the club, a milestone that felt like a lifetime in the making. The pregame ceremony before a quarterfinal clash against Ness Ziona wasn’t just about a number—it was a celebration of loyalty, grit, and a bond with a team that’s become family. Cohen, alongside teammate John DiBartolomeo, held up a framed jersey marked “500,” soaking in a moment that was as personal as it was professional.

At 34, Cohen’s journey with Maccabi Tel Aviv started back in 2013, fresh out of Davidson College. A scout’s casual “We’ll be talking to you” after a Portsmouth Invitational game turned into a 12-year love story with the yellow-and-blue. “This place is home,” Cohen said, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s not just a team—it’s my family. They believed in me from day one, and even through the tough times, we’ve stuck together.” Those tough times included being released by Maccabi three times and loans to Maccabi Rishon Lezion, Maccabi Ashdod, and stints abroad in Greece and Spain. Yet, he always found his way back.

The ceremony hit deep. Cohen’s kids, scampering around the court, made it real—life, not just basketball. “Having them there, seeing their little faces, it’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Maccabi’s been with me through everything—starting my career, becoming a dad, all of it. It’s a special kind of bond.” He spoke of the club’s legends—Miki Berkovic, Tal Brody, Derrick Sharp—and how humbling it is to be part of that lineage. With five Israeli League titles and a steady presence in the locker room, Cohen’s earned his place.

Life off the court hasn’t always been easy. Cohen opened up about the fear and uncertainty of October 7, 2023, when sirens woke his family. “You’re trying to keep your kids safe, figure out what’s next, and it’s just… heavy,” he said. Those moments shaped him, as a player and a person, teaching him resilience that he brings to every game. “You learn to keep going, no matter what,” he added.

On the court, Cohen’s a quiet force. His smart, selfless play—setting screens, making the extra pass—doesn’t always show up in box scores but wins games. In the 2023 Euroleague season, Maccabi went 6-3 when he started and 8-2 when he played nine minutes or more. “Jake’s the guy you want in the clutch,” said analyst Joshua Halickman. “He’s steady, always thinking.” This season, as Maccabi swept Ness Ziona 3-0 to reach the semifinals, Cohen’s been the veteran voice. “Me, John, the older guys—we’ve got to keep everyone locked in,” he said. “No slip-ups now.”

Fans feel it too. On social media, one supporter called him “the heart of Maccabi,” praising his loyalty. Cohen’s work with the Euroleague Players Association and the support he got from players league-wide during tough times in 2023 show his reach. “Guys I barely knew were checking in, sending messages,” he said. “That’s when you realize basketball’s bigger than just a game.”

Reaching 500 games has Cohen thinking about his legacy. “I’m so grateful,” he said. “I get to play the sport I love for a club I’d do anything for. But you know it won’t last forever, so I’m cherishing every second.” With the semifinals against Bnei Herzliya or Hapoel Holon up next, and maybe Hapoel Tel Aviv or Hapoel Jerusalem in the finals, Cohen’s all about the now. “We’ve got a job to do,” he said, a spark in his eye.

As Maccabi chases another title, Cohen’s not just a player—he’s a leader, a dad, a survivor. His 500 games are a number, sure, but they’re also a story of showing up, again and again, for the people and the place he calls home. Whatever comes next, Cohen’s ready, one game at a time.