Hapoel Holon Faces European Opener With Key Absences and Returns

Hapoel Holon is set to begin its European season in the BCL (Basketball Champions League) in Samokov, Bulgaria, facing French team Cholet Basket on Tuesday. The team will be without Brandon Jones, who sprained his ankle during practice. Greg Lee is also sidelined with a torn collateral ligament, an injury sustained during a game against Hapoel Eilat in the Winner Cup. However, the team will welcome back Rivaldo Soares and Sam Eyore, who missed the previous Winner Cup game due to muscle strains. New point guard Leicester Medford is expected to make his debut for Holon. Meanwhile, Skylar Weeks' debut is postponed as he requires further medical evaluation before he can be registered for games. The club is also working on obtaining citizenship for Weeks, which would allow him to be registered as a new naturalized player for the local league. Coach Predrag Krunic expressed anticipation for the BCL season, emphasizing the need for his team to be prepared for a physical game against a talented and athletic Cholet.

Krunic stated, "We are eagerly awaiting the start of the BCL season. We have worked hard and want to come and do our best. Our first opponent, Cholet, is a very talented and athletic team, we need to be ready for a physical game, play aggressively, control the rebounds, and be consistent in the basic things in our offense and defense."