Hapoel Jerusalem Nears Deal for Ex-Maccabi Tel Aviv Star Lorenzo Brown

Basketball club Hapoel Jerusalem is reportedly close to signing Lorenzo Brown, a former player for rival Maccabi Tel Aviv, who currently holds a contract with Olimpia Milano. The Jerusalem team held extensive talks with the 36-year-old guard and his representatives over the weekend, and club officials are optimistic about finalizing the deal soon. If the transfer is completed, Brown is expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days.

Brown is under contract with Milano for two years, but after one season, it became clear he was not part of the team's professional plans for the current season. Despite both parties wanting to part ways, Milano has presented obstacles in finding a solution for his release. Brown publicly expressed his desire to leave, posting "Free me" on social media platform X, signaling his intent to end his tenure with the Italian club while a resolution is still being sought.

Hapoel Jerusalem believes they can resolve the issue with Milano and secure Brown's signing. The guard is well-known to Israeli fans from his time with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he played from 2022 to 2024 and was part of teams that reached the EuroLeague playoffs twice. A primary concern regarding Brown is his current fitness level, as he has not begun training with a team this summer and is not in full playing shape. However, it is estimated that he can gradually return to form after a short training period.