Hapoel Jerusalem Signs Kenny Lofton Jr. for Upcoming Season in European Basketball

Hapoel Jerusalem has officially signed American forward Kenny Lofton Jr. to a lucrative contract for the upcoming season, with an option extending through the 2026/27 season. The 23-year-old, standing 1.98 meters tall, will earn approximately $1.3 million net per season. This marks Lofton Jr.'s first venture into European basketball after gaining experience in the NBA, G League, and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

Lofton Jr. began his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies and also played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz, appearing in 49 NBA games. His standout performance came in April 2023, scoring 42 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a game for Memphis against Oklahoma City. He was also a dominant player in the NBA G League, earning Rookie of the Year honors and twice making the All-NBA G League First Team with averages of 23.4 points and 9.9 rebounds.

In October 2024, Lofton Jr. moved to China to play for the Shanghai Sharks, where he became a league star. He won the MVP award in his first season with averages of 24.4 points and 12.2 rebounds and led Shanghai to a championship the following year. Additionally, he was a key player for the USA in the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup, helping secure the gold medal.

Lofton Jr. expressed excitement about joining Hapoel Jerusalem, praising the club's high ambitions and thanking coach Sasha Obradovic and the management for their trust. Coach Obradovic highlighted Lofton Jr.'s rare combination of strength, talent, and game impact, emphasizing his expected contributions on both offense and defense. The club and fans eagerly anticipate his arrival in Jerusalem for the new season.