Hapoel Jerusalem Coach Seeks Right Fit for Injured Harper's Replacement

Hapoel Jerusalem opened their 2026/27 basketball season with a dominant 110-77 victory over Maccabi Ashdod. Key players Kenny Lofton Jr., David Rudin, and Jake Milton were instrumental in the win.

Following the game, Hapoel Jerusalem's coach, Sasha Obradovic, emphasized that the team is not rushing to find a replacement for the injured Jared Harper. "We are not going to bring in a player just to say we brought someone in," Obradovic stated. "We are looking for a player we will love and can progress with." He acknowledged Harper's importance as a scorer and the difficulty in finding a suitable replacement, noting that the team is taking its time to find the right fit. Obradovic also expressed his excitement about the project in Jerusalem, the fans' support, and his hope for a third Israeli team in the EuroLeague, a competition he coached in for nearly a decade.

Obradovic highlighted the team's ongoing process of building chemistry with recent additions like Jalen Smith, Eitan Burg, and Yotam Halabi, stressing the need for patience as they integrate new players. He praised the team's defensive intensity and reduced errors in the second half, which he felt secured the win after a strong first quarter from Ashdod.

Kenny Lofton Jr. echoed the sentiment of a new team needing time to gel, stating, "We are a new team with a new coach, and we need to continue to connect." He expressed his enjoyment of playing in Jerusalem and his excitement about the team's potential, aiming for an "amazing season" and winning championships.

Maccabi Ashdod coach Dan Katzir acknowledged his team's strong start but admitted that Hapoel Jerusalem's physicality and depth were decisive. He noted that many of his players were getting their first minutes in the Israeli Premier League and that the team would aim to perform better in future games. Katzir also indicated that the team might seek reinforcements if they feel their roster is too thin, while expressing satisfaction with coaching in the league at 33.