Jewish American pro basketball player uses sport to unite communities to combat hate and inspire generations

Jared Armstrong’s basketball career did not pan out exactly how he had hoped, but what he has done with the sport has been a rather nice consolation prize.Armstrong was unable to play Division I basketball due to a foot injury but has been playing professionally in Israel.When Armstrong was offered the opportunity to play in Israel, he received citizenship there, a nod to his Jewish heritage.Now, he is aiming to "be remembered as more than just a basketball player."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMJared Armstrong is giving back to his fellow Jewish community.

(Jared Armstrong Basketball)That’s why Armstrong is building courts in Israel and Jewish communities in his hometown of Philadelphia."I always had the passion that basketball is going to stop one day.What are you going to do after your career? I just didn't want to be another statistic.

They say 50% of guys go broke within five years of playing, whether it's the NBA or overseas.So, my goal is basically trying to build a business, which is rare, while you're playing.

That way, when I'm done, I have something to fall back on," Armstrong recently told Fox News Digital.Armstrong said that the events of Oct.7 pushed him even further to help his communities."I think what pushed me forward was seeing that a lot of the kids, when I came back and decided to play, didn't have an outlet.

I saw how much the kids wanted it," Armstrong said."They were hungry for it.

They weren't in school, and they didn't really have anything to do.After our first clinic, it really elevated my motivation to keep doing it for them because I know if I were in their shoes, I would want somebody to do it for me.""It was all about giving back to a place where I started my career," he added.

"Obviously, I'm Jewish and my family's Jewish, and I never was really a religious person.I was always more of an action-based guy, and how you treat people.

Morals, values and principles are what I believed in.I think it's very imp...