Hassiel Rivero Returns to Form After Serious Foot Injury Ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv Move

Hassiel Rivero, the Cuban center and potential signing for Maccabi Tel Aviv, has recovered from a severe foot injury that sidelined him from late September 2025 until the end of March 2026. During the final two months of the season, Rivero demonstrated promising form, scoring 11 points against Barcelona and 13 against Partizan Belgrade in consecutive EuroLeague games. He notably scored 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the third playoff game against Cedevita Olimpija.

Although Rivero played only limited minutes in the Adriatic League playoffs and was not fielded in the second game where his team was eliminated, he showed effective play under the basket after his recovery. Despite this, he struggled to secure a regular rotation spot on Crvena Zvezda's roster late in the season. Subsequently, the club decided not to exercise their option on Rivero as part of a frontcourt overhaul that also saw Donatas Motiejunas and Joel Bolomboy depart.

Former Crvena Zvezda coach Sasha Obradovic, now with Hapoel Jerusalem, noted in December that Rivero had resumed individual training and gradually returned to play by March. Over nine EuroLeague games, Rivero averaged 4.8 points per game, indicating a positive trajectory as he prepares for a potential role with Maccabi Tel Aviv.