Tamir Blatt Joins Hapoel Tel Aviv Amid Rival Rome Basketball Projects

Israeli point guard Tamir Blatt officially signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv on August 3, 2026, while attracting interest from two emerging basketball clubs in Rome, Italy. These two teams, SQPR Roma and Maxima Roma, represent ambitious projects aiming to elevate Rome's basketball status in Europe, a city historically lacking a top-tier team. Both clubs are set to compete in the EuroCup during the 2026/27 season.

SQPR Roma was founded this year after Donnie Nelson and Luka Dončić acquired the rights to Vanoli Cremona. Nelson, son of legendary coach Don Nelson and former Dallas Mavericks manager, serves as club president, while Dončić is a co-owner who may take a more active role later in his career. The club aspires to restore Rome to European basketball prominence but currently lacks a head coach. Former NBA Coach of the Year Devin Casey was a leading candidate but chose to remain with Detroit. SQPR has signed three players so far, including former Milan guard Nico Mannion, young Gerald Ayayi, and center Jesse Edwards.

Maxima Roma emerged from the ashes of Brescia and faced criticism for attempting to "buy" a franchise in Italy's top league. Esteemed Italian coach Dan Peterson condemned the move, lamenting the erasure of two decades of basketball history overnight. The club's key figure, Paul Mestiac, sought to recruit renowned coaches Ettore Messina and Sergio Scariolo, but both declined despite the club's financial potential. Maxima inherited several Brescia players, including John Brown, but has yet to officially sign anyone. Neither team currently has a head coach.

Both clubs share a vision similar to Dubai's rapid rise to EuroLeague prominence, fueled by strong financial backing. With most EuroLeague players already signed elsewhere for the upcoming season, it remains uncertain who will join either team. Blatt's signing includes a $1.1 million salary plus $500,000 in shares, positioning him as a key figure regardless of which club he ultimately joins. Throughout the 2026/27 season, SQPR and Maxima will compete fiercely to establish themselves as Rome's premier basketball team, with aspirations to join the EuroLeague or the newly proposed NBA Europe league.