Israeli Guard Noam Yaakov Denied NCAA Eligibility to Play for Utah Next Season
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Israeli basketball player Noam Yaakov was denied NCAA eligibility to play for the University of Utah next season and is now a free agent likely to continue his career in Europe.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Noam Yaakov was denied NCAA eligibility to play for University of Utah next season.
- Yaakov averaged 17.9 points and 5.8 assists last season with Ostend in Belgium.
- He signed a major contract with Utah but now becomes a free agent as rosters close.
- Yaakov began his career in Israel, played in France and Belgium, and joined Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2024/25.
- He participated in the NBA draft combine this summer but will likely continue in European leagues.
- Yaakov is expected to rejoin the Israeli national team after missing current World Cup qualifiers.
Israeli basketball player Noam Yaakov will not be able to play for the University of Utah in the upcoming college basketball season after the NCAA denied his eligibility. The 21-year-old guard, who signed a significant contract with Utah, was expected to join the team but now becomes a free agent as many teams have already finalized their rosters.
Yaakov impressed in July while playing for the Israeli national team and had a strong season last year with Ostend in Belgium, averaging 17.9 points and 5.8 assists per game. He began his career at Hapoel Emek Hefer, then played in Villeurbanne, France, before joining Hapoel Tel Aviv for the 2024/25 season. After one season there, he moved to Belgium. He also participated in the NBA draft combine this summer.
Although his opportunity in the United States has closed, it is expected that Yaakov will find a new team in one of the European leagues. Currently, he is not participating in Israel's World Cup qualifying campaign but is anticipated to rejoin the national team later, having performed well under coach Ariel Beit Halachmi.
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