Hapoel Tel Aviv Signs Jacob Toppin with Unique Contract Clause Blocking Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Tel Aviv is close to finalizing its roster for the 2026/27 season by signing 26-year-old forward Jacob Toppin, who appeared five times for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks last season before an injury ended his campaign. Toppin, standing 2.06 meters tall, signed a three-year contract (two years plus an option for a third) with the club, which plans to develop him long-term as an Israeli player. He and his brother, NBA star Obi Toppin, have Jewish maternal roots, as Obi revealed in a Sports Channel interview, mentioning family traditions and Jewish customs.

Unlike other foreign players at Hapoel Tel Aviv who will be housed in a hotel due to the club's base in Sofia, Toppin requested and secured a clause in his contract guaranteeing him an apartment in Tel Aviv. However, it remains uncertain if he will start the season classified as an Israeli, since his citizenship process only began in June and the timeline is unclear. Despite this, the club's professional staff is confident he will be the best Israeli player in the league and is building around him for the future.

Hapoel's professional manager, George Hinas, met Toppin during the NBA Summer League, with Hapoel Jerusalem also showing interest but offering a significantly lower salary. The club had wanted to sign him last summer, but injuries and medical evaluations in the U.S. delayed the process. Notably, Hapoel Tel Aviv included a special clause in Toppin's contract preventing him from transferring to rival teams Maccabi Tel Aviv or Hapoel Jerusalem. Although Toppin initially requested to remove this clause, the club insisted on keeping it and increased his salary to secure his commitment.