He was named the Finals MVP after a dominant showing with the title on the line
Tribute to the Champs: Johnathan Motley
Article
2 Mins read
When Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv signed Johnathan Motley last summer, it was with one goal in mind – to win the BKT EuroCup and secure a place in next season’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Not only did Motley live up to the billing, but he was the EuroCup Finals MVP as Hapoel won its first-ever European title.
Motley had already starred in the EuroCup before with Lokomotiv Kuban in 2021-22, but after two years in the EuroLeague with Fenerbahce, expectation levels were high with regard to what he could do this time around. His season averages of 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists show the impact he had, yet his importance to Hapoel grew even further in the latter stages of the campaign.
In a semifinal series that many before the season tipped to be the EuroCup Finals, Motley posted 15.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists as Hapoel defeated Valencia 2-1, which included 26 points in Game 2 as the Israeli side forced a do-or-die Game 3 at La Fonteta. Motley then averaged 22.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steal in the EuroCup Finals as Hapoel swept Dreamland Gran Canaria. Having signed him for the big occasions, he made sure to step up when the lights shine the brightest.
Motley, who played 20 times this season, finished the campaign leading Hapoel in PIR (19.4) and points (16.7 PPG), while he was tied for first in rebounds (4.8 RPG) with Tomer Ginat, while his 0.5 blocks per night were third on the team. For the skillful big man, he showed why Hapoel was so delighted to have signed him last summer.