SHINGLE SPRINGS, Calif. — A professional basketball player and El Dorado County native is safe in Europe after a harrowing escape from Israel.
While Brad Waldow and his family now face an uncertain future, they are glad to be alive.
“It was the most terrifying moment of my life, and all I wanted was for my wife and son to be able to get out of this,” said Waldow.
Growing up in Shingle Springs, Waldow’s love of basketball took him from Ponderosa High School near Placerville to St. Mary’s College in the Bay Area and beyond, to a professional career in Israel.
The 6’10” power forward was playing for a team in Ashkelon, not far from the Gaza Strip.
In recent days, his home was in reach of rockets being fired by Hamas.
Days after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, Waldow and his wife knew it was time to go.
“We packed just one small suitcase of diapers, wipes and clothes for our son grabbed our passports, and we left,” said Waldow.
They were on the road north to Tel Aviv when Hamas rockets light up the sky again.
“I just pushed my wife and son on the ground and held my body over them and the rockets were just exploding just over our head,” said Waldow.
Through the Israeli Basketball Federation, Waldow booked flights to Europe.
But after his terrifying escape, his thoughts are with those who couldn’t leave.
“The closest a lot of people get is watching it on the news,” said Waldow. “I just hope the conflict is over there swiftly, and quickly."
