Basketball Player Amari Bailey Signs With Hapoel Beer Sheva After Jerusalem Talks

Amari Bailey, a 22-year-old basketball player, has reached an agreement with Hapoel Beer Sheva/Dimona for the upcoming season, in a surprising turn of events. Bailey had been in advanced negotiations with Hapoel Jerusalem, who were seeking a replacement for the injured Jared Harper. However, Beer Sheva engaged with Bailey's representatives and successfully finalized terms for the season, with no connection between the two clubs' dealings.

Bailey, who has Jewish roots, may be eligible to be classified as an Israeli player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League after his documentation is reviewed, though he will initially play as a foreign player. He was selected 41st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets after one year at UCLA.

Bailey struggled to find consistent playing time in the NBA, appearing in only 10 games for the Hornets during the 2023-2024 season, averaging 2.3 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in limited minutes. He demonstrated stronger performance in the NBA G League, averaging 19.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists for the Hornets' affiliate. He began the 2024-2025 season in the G League with the Nets' team before moving to the Minnesota Timberwolves' G League squad, where he posted 10.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game.