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Gone too soon
Shlomi Peri
,11/06/2004 |
A year and a half after Darret Boyd died in a car accident, the basketball world lowers its head in grief again with the tragic death of 22 year old Nili Natho.
For all those who's lives Nili touched and wish to share their feelings or thoughts with us, please email us and we will publish the responses on the site.
Nili Natho, a member of Elizur Ramla and Israel's National Team, the pride of the Cherkess community and a cheerful young lady, was killed in a car accident last night on her way from Kfar Kama, where she grew up, to near by Kfar Tavor. Nili, her sister and cousin where killed as their car drifted from its lane and hit a jeep from the opposite lane. The reason for the crash is still unknown.
Nili Natho joined Austovski High School in Raanana with her good friend Liron Cohen, and led the school to the High School Championship title in the 99/00 season.
In 1999/2000 Nili began playing in the Women's Division I and became the league's first Cherkess player. She won the Israeli Cup with Raanana in her first year. In 00/01, she was named the league's 'Newcomer Of The Year' after finishing the season averaging 10.3 points per game and winning the Israeli Cup with Maccabi Raanana for the 2nd time.
She played four seasons in Raanana. In her best season she averaged 13.7 points per game and led the club to the playoff finals in 2001/2002. Last season she followed her long time coach from High School and Raanana, and joined Elizur Ramla where she won the Championship and Israeli Cup. Her last league game was on Monday, five days ago. She scored 11 points including three 3-pointers as Ramla beat ASA Jerusalem.
Natho played for Israel's under 18 and under 20 National Teams and always stood out. In 2001 she became a member of Israel's senior National Team and played in the 2003 European Championships in Greece.
Apart from the dry facts, Nili was a beautiful girl, always smiling, proud of her family and tradition. Her trademark on the court were her knee-high socks and her great three point shot. 'Safsal' mourns together with the lovely Cherkess community, Elizur Ramla and Israeli women's basketball.
Rest In Peace.
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