Jalen Hurd Excited for New Maccabi Tel Aviv Season, Reflects on Career

Maccabi Tel Aviv's new EuroLeague season has begun, with the team aiming for a stronger performance after finishing 15th and 12th in the previous two seasons, missing the playoffs. Jalen Hurd, a French-American power forward, is entering his third season with the club and has signed a three-year contract extension reportedly worth around $1 million per season. Hurd expressed his comfort and happiness in Israel, enjoying the passionate sports culture and fans. He recently had a significant summer with the French national team, playing alongside stars like Victor Wembanyama and facing opponents such as Nikola Jokic, an experience he found invaluable for his development and confidence.

Maccabi has made several key acquisitions, including Bonzie Colson, Daniel Theis, Kiton Wallace, and Armando Bacot. Notably, Yam Madar made a high-profile move from Hapoel Tel Aviv to Maccabi, a transition Hurd himself made two years prior. Hurd commented on Madar's move, stating that while it wasn't easy, it was a logical professional decision that proved beneficial for him, and he's happy Madar is now on the team. He also praised coach Oded Kattash, highlighting his understanding of players due to his own playing experience.

Hurd also reflected on his experience in Israel during the October 7th events, describing it as a surreal and difficult situation that changed everything. He credited local friends and his partner for helping him understand the reality of the situation and felt supported in his decision to stay. He actively shared his perspective on social media, reassuring his mother about his safety. Despite Maccabi's recent European struggles, Hurd has won domestic titles and reached the league finals. He maintains focus on the team's goals amidst reported management issues.

Looking back at his career, Hurd began playing organized basketball at age four and was identified as a talent early on. He played in France, then moved to North Carolina for high school, aiming for the NBA. After a single college season at Wake Forest, he was undrafted but signed a two-way contract with Portland, playing 13 games in his rookie NBA season. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated his subsequent NBA career, leading him to Israel in 2022 with Hapoel Tel Aviv. He found Israel to be a surprisingly pleasant place with good weather, food, and an English-speaking population. After a successful stint with Hapoel, he moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Hurd is also a member of the French national team and has aspirations to reach the EuroLeague playoffs and defend Maccabi's domestic titles, while also aiming to improve his personal game.