Boys Basketball
Retired JerseysIAN “ITZY” RIBALD, Class of 2003
AKIVA WOLK, Class of 2000IAN “ITZY” RIBALD, Class of 2003
Itzy Ribald graduated as the twelfth leading career scorer in Texas high school basketball history with 3,080 points. An explosive scorer throughout his high school career, Itzy scored more than 30 game points in an astonishing 36 games. He topped the 40-point mark on 14 occasions and scored 50 points in three games throughout his career.
Among Itzy’s greatest performances was his 59-point outburst against rival Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in 2002. Itzy reached his career scoring high despite being the focus of an exceptional Rams defense led by stellar defensive guard Ryan Almallah, and led the Bulldogs to one of the most exciting victories in school history.
Itzy achieved numerous honors in his career, including being named First Team All-District as a freshman, Texas Basketball Magazine Third Team All-State as a junior, Texas Basketball Magazine First Team All-State as a senior, and All-Tournament at tournaments including the Winston Eagle Classic, Baruch Tolerance Tournament, Wills Point ISD Tournament, and Yeshiva University Red Sarachek Tournament.
The Dallas Morning News featured Itzy in two stories during his senior season; one of them was a front-page story. In addition to being selected as a Five Star Camp All-Star and All-Star MVP twice, Itzy was described at the conclusion of his senior season by one Big 12 Conference Coach as “the best guard in Texas.” Turning down the opportunity to play Division I basketball, which was conditioned on his willingness to play during the Jewish Sabbath, Itzy chose instead to enroll and play at Yeshiva University in New York City. During both the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons, Itzy finished the season ranked among the top players in the nation by the NCAA in three-point shooting, was named a member of the Skyline All-Conference Team, and was named YU's Most Valuable Player. He scored more than 1,200 points in his college career.
Akiva Wolk was the first Yavneh Academy player to have his jersey retired. He received that honor as much for his personal conduct as for his amazing accomplishments on the court. As the undisputed leader of the Bulldogs during his final three seasons at Yavneh, Akiva garnered numerous honors, including being selected First Team All-District three times, District Player of the Year and TAPPS First Team All-State during his junior and senior seasons, and being named First Team All-State by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches in his senior season.
In addition to his individual honors, Akiva Wolk led the Bulldogs to three consecutive appearances in the TAPPS State Quarterfinals. During his junior season, he almost single-handedly willed the Bulldogs to the district championship and into the state playoffs. As one opposing coach noted after losing to Yavneh in the first round of the playoffs, “We were prepared for how good he was, we just weren’t prepared for how hard he plays.”At a time when Yavneh had no basketball reputation, Akiva Wolk created one through relentless play on the court, unwavering dedication to his faith, and consistent conduct both on and off the court. In 2006, Akiva received his college degree in Jewish Education. He is presently completing a Master's Degree in Jewish Education, and obtaining smicha.
