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 additions are youth players, with two currently active in the youth teams, Nitai Dudu and Rom Stoller, and two graduates, Tamir Gold and Gabi Artemenko, playing in the southern region and the United States respectively. The fifth addition is 34-year-old forward Brandon Edwards, who will primarily participate in training sessions but is not expected to be part of the final roster due to the team's current depth at the forward position.

Edwards has been competing in Israel's National League since the 2017/18 season, playing for teams such as Hapoel Galil Elyon, Hapoel Ramat Gan, and Yavne. After stints in the French second division and Kosovo's league, he returned to the National League in the 2024/25 season with Migdal Haemek. 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 3.6 fouls drawn per game. Notable performances include scoring 24 points with eight rebounds against Maccabi Rehovot, 25 points against Ramat Hasharon, and 22 points versus Hapoel Haifa in the State Cup.

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). Meanwhile, Gur Levi and T.J. Leaf have not yet fully recovered and are expected to return later in the season under coach Oded Katash. Given this shortage of forwards, Edwards was invited to join Maccabi Tel Aviv's training sessions to provide depth and experience.

The team continues to prepare for the season amid these roster adjustments, balancing youth development with experienced players to face the challenges ahead.