CJ Elbi Signs with Hapoel HaEmek After Talks with Hapoel Jerusalem

CJ Elbi, a standout guard/forward who played for Hapoel Be'er Sheva/Dimona last season, has signed with Hapoel HaEmek. The 26-year-old, standing 1.98 meters tall, returned to Israel and chose the northern team after negotiations with Hapoel Jerusalem fell through. The move was influenced by Yonatan Alon, former Hapoel Jerusalem player and current professional manager of Hapoel HaEmek, who convinced Elbi during the Las Vegas Summer League to join the club.

Last season, Elbi averaged 18.1 points per game with shooting percentages of 63.6% on two-pointers, 32.3% on three-pointers, and 80.2% from the free-throw line, along with 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists. His best performance was a 36-point game against Maccabi Ramat Gan. Drafted 46th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Elbi played 90 games in the NBA from 2020 to 2022, averaging 4.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Elbi first came to Israel in April 2023 with Bnei Herzliya before returning to the G League and also playing briefly in Mexico and Turkey's second division. His signing represents a significant acquisition for Hapoel HaEmek as they prepare for the upcoming season.