Hapoel Jerusalem Star Jared Harper Out 3-5 Months With Thumb Injury

Hapoel Jerusalem faces a significant setback as their key player Jared Harper suffered a thumb ligament tear during training, sidelining him for three to five months. The American guard, who renewed his contract with the team two months ago, will undergo a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation process. The club, coached by Sasha Obradovic, is considering signing an additional player to compensate for Harper's absence.

Harper, 28, stands as the undisputed leader of Hapoel Jerusalem, having earned the MVP title twice in both the Israeli Premier League and the EuroCup during his two years with the team. A graduate of Auburn University, Harper spent his early professional years oscillating between the NBA and its development league, playing 16 games for Phoenix, New Orleans, and New York, and was among the top performers in the development league.

In summer 2022, Harper moved to Europe, signing with Valencia where he played two seasons, including 53 EuroLeague games, before joining Hapoel Jerusalem in summer 2024. Despite his high performance, Harper has not yet led Jerusalem to major titles, with the team experiencing quarterfinal exits in the EuroCup and losses in the State Cup final and semifinal. His 2024/25 season was cut short just before the playoff final due to the conflict with Iran.