Hapoel Jerusalem Dominates Rostock in EuroCup Opener

Hapoel Jerusalem secured a convincing 94-73 victory over Rostock in their EuroCup season opener, played in Belgrade. Despite the absence of injured Jared Harper and the yet-to-be-registered Lorenzo Brown, the team, coached by Sasa Obradovic, showcased significant offensive firepower, signaling strong ambitions for the tournament.

Newcomer Kenny Lofton Jr. made an immediate impact in his official European debut, recording a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. His swift adaptation was highlighted as a major positive for the Jerusalem team. Alongside Lofton, Jalen Smith led the backcourt with 20 points and 7 assists, effectively managing the game's tempo, with significant support from Shai Miltion, who contributed 14 points and 6 assists.

The team's strong offensive performance was evident in their 24 assists and 44.4% three-point shooting, which compensated for their shorthanded roster. Coach Obradovic opted to hold Brown out to allow him more time to integrate with the team after arriving on Saturday.

Israeli players had a less prominent role in the game. Yuval Sussman appeared hesitant following an injury, Nimrod Levy struggled with early fouls, Eitan Burg did not score, and Roi Huber played limited minutes. Obradovic acknowledged defensive lapses in the first half but praised the team's offensive execution and the importance of the win.

Hapoel Jerusalem will face their next European opponent on Tuesday. Before that, they are scheduled to play Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup semifinals on Sunday, a rematch of last year's final where Jerusalem emerged victorious.