Hapoel Jerusalem Signs Debonte Kakuk as First New Player for 2026/27 Season

Hapoel Jerusalem announced its first signing for the 2026/27 season, acquiring American forward/center Debonte Kakuk from Spain's Murcia team. The announcement came shortly after the club learned its EuroCup group stage opponents, which include teams from France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Germany. Kakuk, 29, stands 2.03 meters tall and averaged 11.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game with Murcia. He signed a two-year contract with Jerusalem.

Kakuk brings extensive experience, having played in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers during their 2020 championship season and later with the San Antonio Spurs. In Europe, he also played for CSKA Moscow and Virtus Bologna in Italy. Kakuk expressed excitement about joining Hapoel Jerusalem, committing to giving his all to meet the club's ambitious goals and looking forward to engaging with the fans.

Coach Sasha Obradovic, who joined the club recently, praised Kakuk's athleticism, energy, toughness, and intensity on both ends of the court. Obradovic emphasized Kakuk's competitive nature and his expected contribution to the team's high objectives for the upcoming season. This signing follows the recent departure of Austin Wiley, whom Kakuk will replace on the roster.