Hapoel Tel Aviv had hoped center Dan Oturu would be available for the Israeli league finals against Maccabi Tel Aviv, but he has still not been included in the squad for Game 3. The club expected him to help after his key role in their historic EuroLeague debut season, but his return has been complicated by a long absence, fitness concerns, and extra weight after coming back to Israel.
Oturu last played on May 7 against Real Madrid, and his last game in Israel was in mid-February. After Hapoel were eliminated from the EuroLeague, he returned to Israel before Game 3 of the semifinal series against Hapoel Jerusalem on June 11, then left again after the incidents in that game and came back shortly before the first game of the finals on June 16. During that period, he held intense talks with owner Ofer Yannay and coach Dimitris Itoudis in an effort to convince him to return.
The club said Oturu spent part of the time in Greece with Antonio Blakeney, staying in shape, and part of it in the United States with his family. His original contract included a clause saying he was not obliged to return to Israel during war, and he was indeed out of the country during Operation "Rising Lion." He has since signed a new three-year contract without that clause, and Hapoel still plan to build around him next season.
Still, for the current finals, the club says he came back overweight, looked heavy and was not in game condition. His first full practice since landing was the final session before Game 3, and the staff recommended that Itoudis leave him out. Hapoel now hope to force a fourth game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, but even if that happens, Oturu’s involvement remains uncertain.
