Coach Dru Joyce III and Duquesne received a unique commitment this week for the 2026-27 campaign from 6-foot-7 forward Chaim Galbut.
Galbut, who hails from Miami (Miami Country Day School), is a practicing Orthodox Jew who observes the Shabbat.
That means that he’ll be unavailable for any games on Saturdays. Last season, 14 of Duquesne’s 33 games (42.4%) fell on a Saturday.
Galbut was reportedly discovered by Duquesne on social media, where he had developed a following through regularly posting dunks and basketball highlights.
NEWS: Chaim Galbut has committed to Duquesne, where he'll aim to become the first observant Orthodox Jew to play four years of DI college basketball.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 22, 2026
The 6'7 forward observes the Sabbath and was discovered on social media by Duquesne, throwing down dunks in a yarmulke. pic.twitter.com/6RZqpSP9IR
At Miami Country Day, Galbut averaged 16.5 points and 10 rebounds per game.
After graduating in 2025, Galbut took a gap year to study in Israel.
At Duquesne, he’ll aim to become the first observing Orthodox Jew to play four years of Division I college hoops.
