Maccabi Tel Aviv Adds Veteran Forward Edwards to Preseason Roster Amid Forward Shortage

Maccabi Tel Aviv announced its roster for the upcoming basketball season, including five new players joining the existing squad. Four of these are youth players, with two currently active in the youth teams: Nitai Dudu and Rom Stoller. Tamir Gold and Gabi Artemenko, both alumni, are playing elsewhere, with Gold in the South District and Artemenko in the United States. The fifth addition is 34-year-old forward Brandon Edwards, who will primarily participate in training sessions and is not expected to be part of the final roster due to the team's depth at the forward position.

Edwards has played in Israel's National League since the 2017/18 season, representing teams such as Hapoel Galil Elyon, Hapoel Ramat Gan, and Yavne. He returned to the National League in the 2024/25 season with Migdal Haemek after stints in France's second division and Kosovo's league. Standing 2.00 meters tall, Edwards averaged 15.6 points per game this season, shooting 61.6% on two-pointers and 40.4% on three-pointers, along with 7 rebounds (3.1 offensive) and drawing 3.6 fouls per game. Notable performances include 24 points and 8 rebounds against Maccabi Rehovot, 25 points versus Ramat Hasharon, and 22 points in a cup game against Hapoel Haifa.

Edwards' inclusion is partly due to the upcoming international window in late August, during which key forwards Jalen Hood-Schifino, Yam Madar, and Roman Sorkin will be with their national teams (France and Israel). Additionally, Gur Lavi and T.J. Leaf have not yet fully recovered and are expected to join coach Oded Katash's squad later in the season. Given the shortage of forwards, Edwards was invited to train with Maccabi Tel Aviv to provide depth during this period.