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.
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
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 22, 2026
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.