With Hapoel Tel Aviv BC having hoisted the EuroCup trophy, it’s hard to imagine the team’s championship run without the mid-season addition of Yam Madar.

Tribute to the Champs: Yam Madar

When [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) brought [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/) back to the club from [FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/mun/) in early December, the team likely had high hopes for the impact the young point guard – a former EuroLeague Rising Star winner – could make. Now, with Hapoel having hoisted the BKT EuroCup trophy, it’s hard to imagine the team’s championship run without the mid-season addition of Madar.

It didn't take long for Madar to start shining. He had a career game already in just his second appearance since returning to the club, posting career highs in scoring and index rating with 28 points and a 41 PIR during a Round 11 road loss at Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius. But the very next week Hapoel was already on a run of six wins in seven games, which propelled the team to second place in its group.

Madar averaged 14.3 points on 56.5% three-point shooting, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals in the second half of the regular season, but he might have displayed his best basketball in the best-of-three semifinal series against Valencia Basket, a series that [saw him named the Semifinals MVP](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/semifinals-mvp-yam-madar-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/).

In the first two games of the series, Madar posted 20.5 points, 6.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals, then overcame an injury to play 29 minutes in the deciding Game 3 and help Hapoel reach the EuroCup Finals.

Madar continued playing despite a knee injury, sacrificing for a team that had the chance to make history, and in a 2-0 series sweep against Dreamland Gran Canaria he averaged 13.0 points, making a total of 6 triples on 8 attempts, while posting 5.5 assists as Hapoel climbed the throne.

The math is quite simple. Before Madar’s arrival, Hapoel scored more than 82 points in four of its nine games. With Madar in the lineup, Hapoel scored more than 82 points in 11 of its 13 games. And now, both the club and the player can proudly carry the title of being a EuroCup champion.

More Hapoel Tel Aviv News

A mid-season signing, he lifted Hapoel’s offense and played arguably the best basketball of his career

He might not receive the same acclaim as some of his teammates, but Bar Timor – one of six Israelis in coach Dimitris Itoudis’s rotation – was a key contributor in Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv’s run to the 2024–25 BKT EuroCup championship.

Tribute to the Champs: Bar Timor

He might not receive the same acclaim as some of his teammates, but [Bar Timor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bar-timor/004846/) – one of six Israelis in coach Dimitris Itoudis’s rotation – was a key contributor in [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/)’s run to the 2024–25 BKT EuroCup championship.

After missing Round 1, the 33-year-old Timor played in every game en route to the title, starting four times in 23 appearances and averaging 17:51 minutes per night. He posted 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.8 steals per game for the eventual champions.

Timor scored in double digits four times during the regular season, peaking with 15 points in Round 3 against Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul. His best performance by index rating came in Round 13 at Dreamland Gran Canaria, where he tallied 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and a PIR of 19.

Crucially, Timor brought experience to a revamped Hapoel squad, having been with the club since 2020 and part of its EuroCup journey since 2022. He also provided valuable minutes to help rest key players such as Yam Madar, Antonio Blakeney, Marcus Foster, and, earlier in the season, Joe Ragland. In fact, only Timor and Tomer Ginat remain from the 2022–23 roster — Hapoel’s first season in the EuroCup.

While his stats dipped in the postseason, Timor remained a steady presence when called upon — helping guide Hapoel to the 2024–25 EuroCup title, the first continental trophy in the club’s history.

The veteran guard played an important role off the bench for Hapoel this season

Marcus Bingham's meteoric rise was interrupted this season and his role dwindled by the end of the playoffs, but the promising big man was nonetheless a factor in Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv's march to the BKT EuroCup crown

Tribute to the Champs: Marcus Bingham

[Marcus Bingham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marcus-bingham/013506/)'s meteoric rise was interrupted this season and his role dwindled by the end of the playoffs, but the promising big man was nonetheless a factor in Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv's march to the BKT EuroCup crown and is considered a building block for the future. 

Faced with a shortage of frontcourt players in November, Hapoel pried Bingham away from fellow Israeli club Hapoel Holon, with which the 24-year-old was putting up monster numbers. By his second game, Bingham scored [11 points in 16 minutes against Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-overpowers-joventut-95-70/) and he followed that with [12 points in 13 minutes against Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/wolves-bounce-back-to-down-hapoel-104-100/). 

However, he soon had [a bout of pericarditis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoels-marcus-bingham-to-miss-time/), which is the inflammation of the tissue around the heart, and missed the rest of the regular season.

Even when he returned, Bingham played limited minutes in the postseason, but he made the most of every play. Had he featured in enough games to qualify, Bingham would have been the runaway EuroCup leader in blocks on a per-minute basis and ranked eighth in steals with 4.6 and 2.8, respectively, prorated over 40 minutes. He finished the season averaging 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks over 9:34 minutes in nine appearances. 

Bingham saw action in all six of Hapoel's postseason games and used his length and athleticism to be a disruptor at both ends, whether throwing down slams or shutting down the opponents' attack. And now he has a EuroCup crown to show for his efforts.

The midseason addition made the most of every play in his first EuroCup campaign  

Tribute to the Champs: Marcus Bingham  

Antonio Blakeney ranked second in the EuroCup in scoring on a per-minute basis with an average of 26.7 points over 40 minutes. And now, for the first time in his professional career, Blakeney is a champion, too. 

Tribute to the Champs: Antonio Blakeney

Some say that "timing is everything". For [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/) in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup, that was certainly the case. 

The guard had his best stretch of the season when it mattered most, playing a decisive role for Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the semifinals and the finals to lead the club to glory. Blakeney had three of his four best-scoring games all season in the final stretch with 22 points in Game 2 of the semifinals, 32 in Game 3 and 27 in the deciding game of the finals. He tied for the finals lead in scoring (22.0 ppg.), steals (1.5 spg.) and PIR (23.5). 

Scoring in bunches is what Blakeney does best and that is exactly what he did for Hapoel in the finals. In the series opener, he scored 10 of his 17 points in the first quarter and then in Game 2 he erupted for 18 points in the third quarter.

Blakeney was a mid-season addition, who debuted in the EuroCup in Round 7. He found his rhythm during a stretch between Rounds 10 and 14 when he averaged 16.2 points on 52.2% three-point shooting, but then cooled off and did not score at all in three of his next four appearances. However, Coach Dimitris Itoudis encouraged him to work harder and when the playoffs arrived, Blakeney was ready for primetime. He finished the season averaging 13.4 points per game and ranked [second in the EuroCup in scoring on a per-minute basis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2024&statisticMode=perMinute&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score) with an average of 26.7 points over 40 minutes. And now, for the first time in his professional career, Blakeney is a champion, too.

The instant-offense guard was at his best in the biggest games of the season

Tribute to the Champs: Antonio Blakeney 

After being named as the EuroCup Finals MVP, Hapoel Tel Aviv BC star Johnathan Motley reflected on what felt like an "out of body" experience.

Johnathan Motley lived 'out of body' experience as EuroCup Finals MVP

Athletes envision themselves performing their craft beforehand so that when the moment comes they are able to remain calm under all the pressure. [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) did exactly that before the BKT EuroCup Finals and it was the reason why the [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) center was so relaxed after being named the Finals MVP. 

Motley was outstanding in both games of the Finals and was the logical choice as MVP, especially after he scored 26 points to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal for a PIR of 28 in [Hapoel’s 94-103 win over Dreamland Gran Canaria in Game 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-sweeps-gran-canaria-for-first-eurocup-title-and-ticket-to-euroleague/). The big man tied a EuroCup Finals record of 12 free throws made and set a new best mark with 16 free throws attempted. 

“I am just happy we got it done,” said Motley, who tallied 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in the Game 1 win. 

“I was very confident in my team. We work really hard. We have a great locker room. Everybody trusts each other."

Motley added after the trophy ceremony: “Right now, I am surprisingly calm … I envisioned myself doing the trophy thing all week. It’s just crazy that I am in it right now. It’s kind of out of body right now.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">MVP 👹 <a href="https://t.co/WSG3dQLFBX">pic.twitter.com/WSG3dQLFBX</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1910828496416284934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The great showing in the Finals was not a surprise as Motley has shined all season, grabbing a spot on the 2024-25 BKT All-EuroCup First Team. 

“It was a difficult season, every game was away. But the fans came out. And we have a great locker room. We all love each other. We all don’t care who does what. We all instill confidence in each other. That's what made us get to this point,” said Motley. 

The 29-year-old played two seasons in the EuroLeague with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Now he can start envisaging himself playing at that level again. 

Game News

The big man showed all season why he is one of the best players in the competition

Johnathan Motley lived 'out of body' experience as EuroCup Finals MVP 

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2025-04-11T19:00:00.000Z)

Congratulations to Yonatan Deutsch, our 25th and final winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Yonatan's team, 'hapoel 76ers', posted a score of 182.80.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Finals Game 2 winner

Congratulations to Yonatan Deutsch, our 25th and final winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Yonatan's team, 'hapoel 76ers', posted a score of 182.80.

Yonatan had the following starting lineup: Johnathan Motley of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv as team captain, then his teammates Antonio Blakeney, Yam Madar and Tomer Ginat, as well as Nico Brussino of Dreamland Gran Canaria. George Conditt of Gran Canaria was the sixth man.

The head coach of Nikolaos's team was Hapoel's Dimitris Itoudis, and the four bench players were all from Gran Canaria: John Shurna, Andrew Albicy and Joe Thomasson of Gran Canaria, as well as Noam Yaacov of Hapoel.

The prize for finishing first in the 24th round of the EuroCup Fantasy Challenge is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Yonatan!

The winner of the overall standings is Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 4,023.35 points.

Check out what the Hapoel Tel Aviv BC players had to say after winning the 2025 EuroCup championship.

Champions' quotes: Hapoel Tel Aviv

### Ish Wainright, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv forward

"This is the first title in my collegiate or professional career. I won with Mot \[Johnathan Motley\] and we said, 'We finally got one together'. This is an unbelievable feeling. We broke records!? Wow, I didn't know about that. That was a hell of a game. Hell of a team. Much respect for that team, Gran Canaria is a great team. This is unbelievable. Our chemistry is amazing. We don't care who scores, we don't care who brings the ball up, we locked in on defense. We had a slip-up every now and then, but we were locked in."

### Bruno Caboclo, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv center

"It's been amazing. Our team went through ups and downs, a lot of changes, but we managed to keep the locker room healthy. Every playoff game was a big battle. I'm so relieved to be able to win the championship. We have great players, a great coach as well. Great staff, great medical team. I think everybody was part of this. The fans as well. Everything helped us to get to here. \[Going to the EuroLeague\] is a big thing for the history of the club, so I'm very happy to be part of this and to keep going with this story."

### Yam Madar, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv guard

"For sure, that was the goal from the beginning when I arrived at Hapoel: to make it to the EuroLeague. The road was very difficult. We've been through a lot. We didn't play so good at the beginning. To see how everything and how the journey summed up to a point where we actually made it after 2-0, playing great basketball, being together, everyone happy for each other. Behind us is an unbelievable community that was waiting for a title for 32 years. To bring them a title after 32 years is something unbelievable. You see the guys over here and we have so many others in Israel watching us. We're just happy for them. I just tried to do whatever I can to bring this team to the EuroLeague. It is 100% \[special\]. I know that by playing I'm risking my career, my knee. But it was a no-brainer for me to come and just to do whatever I can just to try to help this team win. I am just happy, a lot of teammates came over here tonight and played great. It's a really special group."

### Antonio Blakeney, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv guard

"It feels great. Obviously winning is the main thing, but we won this way and it feels great. We stayed together. We've got a team right now where everyone likes each other, everyone knows each other's game, so it's easy to play well like that. I'm always a confident guy, but definitely that boosted my confidence \[his big quarter against Valencia\], and my teammates really keep me confident. Whether I'm missing or making, they always motivate me."

### Marcus Foster, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv guard

"It feels so amazing. There's ups and downs throughout the season. Sometimes you feel like you might not even get to this point, and we got here, we did it, so it feels amazing. I think just our focus and off the court, our relationship with each other, and just understanding each other that we're going to have problems but we've got to figure out how to get through them. And defensively, we stepped up. They made runs and we figured out a way to still win. I mean, when you look down the line, you've got Antonio Blakeney, Yam Madar, Ish Wainright, me. This is the talented team we've got. With the Israelis, anything can happen for us, man. We're just an amazing team, and that's why we're so hard to beat because we have so much talent."

Check out what the Hapoel players had to say after winning the 2025 EuroCup championship

Champions' quotes, Hapoel Tel Aviv: 'The fans were waiting for a title for 32 years'

A truly dominant showing in the BKT EuroCup Finals has seen Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv big man Johnathan Motley become the EuroCup Finals MVP, with the 29-year-old playing an integral role in guiding his team to a 2-0 series win over Dreamland Gran Canaria.

EuroCup Finals MVP: Johnathan Motley, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

A truly dominant showing in the BKT EuroCup Finals has seen [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/) big man [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) become the EuroCup Finals MVP, with the 29-year-old playing an integral role in guiding his team to a 2-0 series win over [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/can/).

Motley had the joint highest PIR of any player in the series with a 23.5 average index rating across the two games, together with teammate [Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/). His 19 PIR in Game 1 was the highest of any player that took to the floor, while he followed that up with a 28 PIR – his fourth-highest index rating of the season – in Game 2. He was also tied with Blakeney as the highest scoring player in the series with an average of 22.0 points in the EuroCup Finals.

After spending two years in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Motley returned to the EuroCup – where he first debuted with Lokomotiv Kuban in the 2021-22 campaign – with one thing in mind: leading Hapoel to a championship. In the EuroCup Finals, Motley showed his EuroLeague-level talent by starring in all facets of the game, particularly on offense.

In Game 1, Motley had 18 points on 7-of-14 two-pointers and 4-of-5 free throws, as well as 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and a 19 PIR. He followed that up with 26 points on 7-of-12 two-pointers and 12-of-16 free throws, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and a 28 PIR in Game 2.

Motley had 14 points in the first half of Game 2 to help his team take a 44-53 lead into the break, then another 7 points in the third and 5 in the fourth as Hapoel’s offense showed no sign of slowing down until the final buzzer sounded.

This EuroCup title is the first continental trophy of Motley’s career, and he got to lift the trophy alongside a college teammate of his, [Ish Wainright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ishmail-carzell-wainright/013284/), who also joined Hapoel last summer.

“I was very confident in my team,” Motley told EuroLeague TV afterward. “We worked real hard, we have a great locker room, everybody trusts each other, so right now I’m calm. I’m just glad we got it done. I envisaged myself doing the trophy thing all week. It’s just crazy that I’m in it right now. I’m just out of body right now, to be honest.”

Game 2 News

He dominated as the Israeli team swept its series against Gran Canaria


BKT EuroCup Finals MVP: Johnathan Motley, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-04-08T17:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Tel Aviv wrote the greatest chapter in its club history by defeating Gran Canaria 94-103 to clinch the 2024-25 EuroCup title – the first pan-European crown for its trophy case – and a ticket to the EuroLeague. 

Hapoel Tel Aviv sweeps Gran Canaria for first EuroCup title and ticket to EuroLeague

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv wrote the greatest chapter in its club history by defeating Dreamland Gran Canaria 94-103 to clinch the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup title – the first pan-European crown for its trophy case – and a ticket to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Hapoel completed the 2-0 series sweep by setting Finals single-game records for most points and 15 three-pointers against the second-best defense in the competition. 

Antonio Blakeney scored 18 of his game-high 27 points in the third quarter; EuroCup Finals MVP Johnathan Motley put together another outstanding showing with 26 points including 12-of-16 free throws while Yam Madar added 16 points on 4-of-4 triples and 6 assists. Hapoel became the second Israeli club to win the EuroCup after Hapoel Jerusalem in 2003-04, which was the last time a club from the country played in the Finals.

Gran Canaria failed to win its second EuroCup title after 2023 despite George Conditt scoring 18 points and both John Shurna and Joe Thomasson adding 14 points. 

Game Videos

Tomer Ginat opened the game with a three-pointer for the guests, who led 0-5 in the opening moments. After a Motley three-point play, Madar drained back-to-back triples and Hapoel was already up double figures 4-14 after 3 minutes. Gran Canaria managed to shut down the Hapoel offense for 3 minutes and pulled within 11-14. But the lead was 13-24 after a four-point play from Blakeney and another Madar triple. Conditt picked up three put-backs from offensive rebounds to try to keep the hosts close 17-24. But the score was 21-29 after 10 minutes. 

Gran Canaria did not score a field goal in the first 3 minutes of the second quarter and Noam Yaacov and Marcus Foster both hit triples as Hapoel improved to 8 of 12 on threes and led 25-39. The Spanish side stepped up its defense again and held Hapoel scoreless for 5 minutes and Andrew Albicy scored 7 points in an 11-0 run to pull within 38-39. Hapoel punched right back with a Motley three-point play and Madar triple to make it 38-45. And five points from Ginat sent Hapoel into the locker room ahead 44-53.

Thomasson buried two three-pointers and Nicolas Brussino also hit from long range for Gran Canaria but Blakeney knocked down two triples at the other end and the lead was still 53-61. Shurna followed with a three-pointer and two Mike Tobey inside scores had Gran Canaria as close as 61-63. Hapoel’s stars answered with a Motley and-one and Madar layup to extend the cushion to 61-68. Blakeney added a three-point play and triple and Hapoel found itself up 68-76. And it was 72-83 after two more free throws and another and-one from Blakeney. The guests were leading 74-86 after 30 minutes.

Bruno Caboclo opened the final frame with a three-pointer and added an inside basket to give the guests a 78-92 advantage. Blakeney added his fifth triple and the cushion swelled to 19 points - 78-97. Gran Canaria went scoreless for nearly 6 minutes and back-to-back three-pointers by Mehdy Ngouama gave the hosts a faint glimmer of hope, down 86-97 with 2 minutes to go. Shurna and Ngouama added threes in the closing 70 seconds but it was not enough to take down Hapoel.

Dimitris Itoudis's men put on a historic offensive 