Ex-Hapoel Jerusalem Star Pooh Jeter Named Lakers' Scouting Director

Pooh Jeter, who starred for Hapoel Jerusalem during the 2009-2010 season, has been appointed as the new professional scouting director for the Los Angeles Lakers. This move marks one of the Lakers' initial significant hires in their scouting department under new assistant general manager Eric Amster. The team's general manager, Rob Pelinka, recently stated the organization's intention to expand and rebuild its scouting division.

Jeter, who played in Europe starting in 2007, had a notable career that included stints with various teams such as Kyiv, Hapoel Jerusalem, Menorca, Unicaja Malaga, Sacramento Kings, and Joventut Badalona, as well as playing in China and for the Ukrainian national team. During his time with Hapoel Jerusalem, he averaged 12.4 points per game in the EuroCup, shooting 40.7% from three-point range. A particularly memorable game for him was a March 2010 victory against Afula, where he scored 39 points on 9-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.

Following his retirement from playing, Jeter transitioned into coaching roles. He previously worked as a player development coach and assistant general manager for the Portland Trail Blazers' G-League affiliate. In a recent interview, Jeter expressed admiration for the progress of Israeli basketball and the dedication of players like Dani, whom he coached in Portland. He highlighted Dani's strong work ethic and character as key factors in his success, stating, "His character is everything. He is a better person than he is a basketball player."