Obradovic Revolution: A New Hapoel Jerusalem Begins

Double Dribble, Episode 55 / Walla Editorial Staff

Hapoel Jerusalem ended its season this evening (Thursday) with elimination in the playoff semifinals against Hapoel Tel Aviv. The capital club was swept by the Reds after the Superior Court earlier ruled a technical loss in the first game of the series, and found itself losing two games in one day. After a season that ended with a Win Winner Cup and Super Cup title, a painful exit in the EuroCup quarterfinals, and losses in the State Cup semifinals and playoff semifinals, Matan Adelson’s team will enter next season with major changes.

The biggest of them is the arrival of Serbian coach Sasha Obradovic, who will be presented in the coming days as the team’s head coach officially after finalizing his terms before the playoffs. Together with Obradovic, Jerusalem hopes to break its way into the EuroLeague.

Could the World Cup quarterfinal package get an upgrade? Jared Harper / Dani Maron

A number of players have guaranteed contracts with Hapoel Jerusalem. The most significant of them is American guard Jared Harper, who may even receive an upgrade during the summer to ensure his continued stay at the club beyond the coming season. Aside from him, the only foreign player who may realistically continue is Justin Smith, although there is currently significant interest in the player from the Japanese league. All the other foreigners, including Austin Wiley, who has a contract with a buyout, are expected to leave.

Among the Israelis, Yuval Zussman, Eitan Borg, and Roi Huber have guaranteed contracts, and the club is counting on them for next season as well. Jerusalem has an option for one more season on Yotam Hanochki and Gabi Chachashvili, but the chances are that they will not stay. Nimrod Levi’s contract is ending, and his future is unclear, with a possibility that the club in the capital will choose to extend his contract.

Jerusalem will also play in the EuroCup next season, as the competition changes its format. The team will enter a first group stage with 8 teams, hoping to finish among the top four, and from there go into the playoffs all the way to the winner that will advance to the EuroLeague.