Tel Aviv’s road warriors: Hapoel's bold EuroLeague gamble

No team has made more headlines this summer than EuroLeague debutant [Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/hapoel-ibi-tel-aviv/roster/hta/). The reigning EuroCup champions were linked to numerous players, including a rumored offer to former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook – an approach team owner Ofer Yannay later denied.

Still, Yannay’s aggressive push to sign elite talent and build a stacked roster for Coach Dimitris Itoudis kept the rumor mill buzzing. The biggest splash came when [Hapoel inked former EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/vasilije-micic-signs-lucrative-deal-with-hapoel-tel-aviv/) to a lucrative three-year deal.

As we enter August, the roster is nearly complete. Nine players return from the 2024–25 campaign, and nine more have signed over the summer. The squad includes seven Israelis and eleven foreigners, creating a deep and diverse unit ready for action.

The looming question: what will Hapoel look like in its EuroLeague debut? While that’s a fair question for any newcomer, Hapoel's case is far from typical.

From a basketball perspective, the team seems well-prepared for longest ever EuroLeague Regular Season. As Coach Itoudis is fond of saying, the EuroLeague is a marathon, not a sprint, and never has that been truer than this season with 38 games.

Ofer Yannay

To further ease the transition, the club just brought in veteran executive Manos Papadopoulos to reinforce the front office with continental savvy.

But Hapoel faces an unprecedented challenge for a debuting EuroLeague side: playing every home game away from home. Since October 2023 – just before the war in Gaza began – Hapoel has been unable to host EuroCup games in Tel Aviv. In the two seasons since, home games have taken place in Belgrade (at two different arenas), Vilnius, and Bulgaria’s Samokov Arena. Each week, the team would begin in Israel for domestic play and then travel to its “home” venue abroad as if on a regular road trip.

With the expanded schedule this season and the strain it places on players and staff – not to mention the logistics of courting big-name talent – management knew this arrangement was unsustainable. Their solution: relocate the team’s operational base to Sofia, Bulgaria.

According to Yannay, all 18 rostered players will reside in Sofia. For EuroLeague road games, 13 players will travel to the game site while five head to Israel. Afterward, seven will fly to Israel to prepare for the domestic league while six return to Sofia. Though the plan requires constant adjustment, it dramatically reduces fatigue and travel complications. The team has also committed to chartered flights to streamline logistics. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OBBT protocol:<br><br>18 players, all in Sofia <br><br>Assuming EL game day (GD)<br><br>GD minus 1 - 13 travel to game location, 5 travel to Israel <br><br>GD plus 0 (after the game):<br><br>7 fly to Israel <br>6 fly back to Sofia. <br><br>Rotations!<br><br>GD + 1 - <br>Day off in Sofia<br>Team practice in IL<br><br>GD + 2 - <br><br>Personal…</p>&mdash; Ofer (@OferYannay) <a href="https://twitter.com/OferYannay/status/1949519401931112473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yannay didn’t miss the chance to throw shade at city rival Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, remarking: “Run the simulation to see which protocol is better? Ours or yellow team protocol.”

Maccabi, by contrast, keeps its roster together throughout the season, accepting the grind of constant travel in favor of tighter team chemistry. That philosophy paid off last year for Hapoel when Marcus Foster – one of the team's EuroCup heroes  – [spoke to me last season](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/marcus-foster-i-can-help-this-team-elevate/) about the camaraderie forged through travel:

“It gives us that bonding time… We’re a very close team, and not just the foreign players. The foreign players and the Israeli players are very close.”

A similar bond helped Maccabi push eventual champions Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens to the brink in a thrilling 2024 playoff series.

But Hapoel is betting on star power and experience to fast-track chemistry, while its innovative travel model keeps players fresh. It’s too early to know if the gamble will pay off, but one thing’s certain: Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv remains the most talked-about team in the EuroLeague this summer.

Stars, strategy, and Sofia: how Hapoel is rewriting the playbook for EuroLeague newcomers

Tel Aviv’s road warriors: Hapoel's bold EuroLeague approach

Anadolu Efes Istanbul has penned promising French center Brice Dessert to a multi-year deal to reinforce its frontcourt

Efes adds promising big man Brice Dessert

[Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/roster/ist/) has penned promising French center [Brice Dessert](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/-/010318/) to a four-year deal to reinforce its frontcourt, the club announced on Wednesday. 

Dessert (2.12 m, 22 years old) arrives from SIG Strasbourg, where he was a standout performer in the French League with 9.0 points on 68.8% shooting, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 block over 26 games last season.

A former standout at Pole France INSEP Paris – the French basketball academy at the National Institute for Sport, Expertise and Performance in Paris, Dessert broke into professional basketball with Rouen and ADA Blois before heading to Strasbourg in June 2024

Dessert has also featured for French youth national teams and was on the silver-medal winning squad at the 2019 U16 European Championship and the 2021 U19 Word Cup. He has since made his debut on France’s senior national team. At Efes he will join forces with countrymen Vincent Poirier and Rodrigue Beaubois.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">✍️ Genç pivot Brice Dessert ile 4 sezonluk sözleşme imzaladık!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bienvenue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bienvenue</a> Brice<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/NLAl2zYW8V">pic.twitter.com/NLAl2zYW8V</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1950526812145999934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

More Anadolu Efes news

The French center will join forces with countryman Vincent Poirier in Istanbul

Real Madrid has bolstered its frontcourt by signing dynamic American forward Chuma Okeke

Real Madrid reels in versatile forward Chuma Okeke

Real Madrid has bolstered its frontcourt by signing dynamic American forward Chuma Okeke to a two-year deal, the club announced on Wednesday. 

Okeke (2.01 meters, 26 years old) arrives from the NBA, where he played last season for the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers, the latter of with which he featured in the playoffs. He also spent time last season with the Westchester Knicks in the G League. He averaged 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 28 regular-season games with Westchester.

After playing college basketball at Auburn, which he helped reach the NCAA Final Four for the first time in school history, Okeke was drafted with the 16th overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2019 NBA Draft. He sat out the 2019-20 season while recovering from a torn ACL and then played four seasons with the Magic, his best being in 2021-22 when he averaged 8.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals over 70 games.

A versatile and athletic forward known for his defensive instincts, Okeke becomes the latest addition to a Real Madrid squad that is looking to get back to the EuroLeague Final Four in its first season under Coach Sergio Scariolo.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🙌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeOkeke?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeOkeke</a> 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/aQYTnlDvyH">pic.twitter.com/aQYTnlDvyH</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1950485662722904248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Real Madrid news

A former NBA first-round pick, Okeke comes to play in Europe for the first time

He made his EuroLeague debut with AS Monaco in 2021


ASVEL signs forward Armel Traore 

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/roster/asv/) added another weapon to its roster by inking forward [Armel Traore](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/armel-traore/010319/) to a two-year deal, the club announced on Tuesday.

Traore (2.03 meters, 22 years old) arrives from BAXI Manresa, where he averaged 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in five Spanish League games last season. He began the 2024-25 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA and also played for the South Bay Lakers of the G League, where he averaged 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds in 13 games.

The forward started his career with INSEP and joined AS Monaco for the 2021-22 season. He made his EuroLeague debut on December 10, 2021, playing seven seconds against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. He has also played for Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans and ADA Blois Basket 41 of France. Traore helped France win a gold medal at the 2023 U20 European Championships, and respective silver medals at the 2021 U19 World Cup and the 2019 U16 European Championships.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Bienvenue Armel ! 🇫🇷<br><br>LDLC ASVEL poursuit la construction de son effectif et est heureux de vous annoncer la signature d’Armel Traoré pour les deux prochaines saisons au sein du club.<br><br>Champion d’Europe U20 en 2023, passé par les Mets, Blois, les Los Angeles Lakers et plus… <a href="https://t.co/eT1sOsNw0a">pic.twitter.com/eT1sOsNw0a</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1950111603531128899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

More ASVEL news

FC Bayern Munich picked up some scoring punch by signing Xavier Rathan-Mayes, who made his EuroLeague debut last season with Real Madrid

Bayern adds scorer Xavier Rathan-Mayes

[FC Bayern Munich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-bayern-munich/roster/mun/) picked up some scoring punch by signing [Xavier Rathan-Mayes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/xavier-rathan-mayes/013378/), who made his EuroLeague debut last season with Real Madrid. He signed a one-year deal with an option for another season.

Rathan-Mayes (1.91 meters, 31 years old) appeared in 23 EuroLeague games – including 5 starts – for *Los Blancos* last season and averaged 5.3 points and 1.4 assists. The Canadian guard helped Real Madrid make the EuroLeague Playoffs and win the Spanish League.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes: Best of 2024-25

His springboard into the EuroLeague came from a fantastic 2023-24 campaign with Russian side Enisey, with which he led the VTB United League in scoring with 25.4 points per game. He also ranked 10th with 4.5 assists per game and contributed 1.1 steals over 39 appearances.

After playing college basketball at Florida State University, Rathan-Mayes has traveled the world as a professional. In addition to a stint in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, he has also played in Greece (AEK Athens), Israel (Bnei Herzliya), Canada (Hamilton Honey Badgers and Scarborough Shooting Stars), Romania (CSU Sibiu), Turkiye (Yukatel Merkezefendi), Australia (Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United), Russia (Enisey) and Spain (Real Madrid).

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐗𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐑 👋<br><br>Wir verpflichten den kanadischen Guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes vom spanischen Titelträger Real Madrid. <a href="https://twitter.com/freelanceDE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@freelanceDE</a> wünscht viel Erfolg im neuen Job.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kaderupdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kaderupdate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/xrm_22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@xrm_22</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1950116829587759484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

"I have been following what has been happening in Munich over the past year or two, and now I really want to be a part of it. I have also been in close contact with Coach Herbert recently, so the move to Bayern was a no-brainer for me," Rathan-Mayes said after the agreement. "I haven't had an easy year, and I want to prove that I am a high-level player, one who is there on both sides of the court, as a dynamic playmaking guard who scores and passes, but also as a tough defender."

More Bayern Munich news

The Canadian made his EuroLeague debut last season with Real Madrid 

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz added to its backcourt with the signing of playmaker Matteo Spagnolo to a three-year deal

Baskonia inks Matteo Spagnolo through 2028

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz/roster/bas/) added to its backcourt with the signing of playmaker [Matteo Spagnolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/matteo-spagnolo/008173/) to a three-year deal, the club announced Monday.

Spagnolo (1.93 meters, 22 years old) arrives from ALBA Berlin, where last season he averaged 9.6 points and 3.8 assists in 27 EuroLeague games. It was his second EuroLeague campaign after debuting with ALBA the season before. Spagnolo was a finalist for the EuroLeague Rising Star award in both seasons, finishing second in the voting in 2024 and tied for fifth last season.

Matteo Spagnolo played the 2024-25 EuroLeague season with ALBA Berlin

Best of Matteo Spagnolo: 2024-25

A native of Brindisi, Italy, Spagnolo came through the ranks at Stella Azzurra Rome and signed his first professional contract with Real Madrid. He made his Spanish League debut at age 17. He went on to play on loan for Italian sides Vanoli Cremona and Dolomiti Energia Trento.

A regular member on the Italian national team, Spagnolo joins Baskonia as one of the top young playmakers in European basketball.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">✍️🏀 OFICIAL | Matteo Spagnolo, nueva pieza para Baskonia<br><br>🖇️<a href="https://t.co/2Sv8VetvMz">https://t.co/2Sv8VetvMz</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OngiEtorriMatteo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OngiEtorriMatteo</a> <a href="https://t.co/WJ3av4FqFx">pic.twitter.com/WJ3av4FqFx</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1949754199673036882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Baskonia news

The Italian playmaker brings EuroLeague experience and upside to Vitoria-Gasteiz

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens has signed forward Nikos Rogkavopoulos to a multi-year deal

Greens grab Nikos Rogkavopoulos from Baskonia

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/) has signed forward [Nikos Rogkavopoulos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikolaos-rogkavopoulos/profile/011085/) to a four-year deal, the club announced on Sunday evening.

Rogkavopoulos (2.01 meters, 24 years old) arrives from Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, where he spent the last two seasons. The Greek averaged 9.7 points on 43.5% three-point shooting and 3.9 rebounds in 19 minutes over 33 EuroLeague appearances last season. He was worth 8.9 points and 3.3 boards in the Spanish League as he helped Baskonia reach the playoffs.

Nikos Rogkavopoulos's best plays with Baskonia

Nikos Rogkavopoulos's best plays with Baskonia_37324269.mp4

Born in Maroussi, Rogkavopoulos played in the Doukas BC youth teams and began his professional career with AEK Athens. He later played for Promitheas Patras before moving abroad. He spent the 2022–23 season with Merkezefendi in Turkiye, where he led the team in scoring and earned a move to Baskonia.

Rogkavopoulos has been a regular member of the Greek national team setup, having played at every youth level and debuting for the senior team in 2021. His return to Athens reunites him with domestic fans and adds a homegrown presence to the Greens’ deep roster.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒌𝒐𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒈𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒐𝒔 ☘️<br><br>Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός AKTOR ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του Νίκου Ρογκαβόπουλου για τα επόμενα τέσσερα χρόνια.<br><br>_________________________________________<br><br>Panathinaikos BC AKTOR is pleased to announce the signing of Nikos… <a href="https://t.co/cRmhWdQIYh">pic.twitter.com/cRmhWdQIYh</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1949516727676465204?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Panathinaikos news

The Greek forward returns home to Athens after a breakout EuroLeague season 

Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv has signed forward-center Shane Hunter to a three-year contract, the club announced Sunday. He is expected to spend the first season of the deal on loan to continue his development

Maccabi signs promising big man Shane Hunter

[Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/maccabi-rapyd-tel-aviv/roster/tel/) has signed forward-center Shane Hunter to a three-year contract, the club announced Sunday. He is expected to spend the first season of the deal on loan to continue his development.

Hunter (2.08 meters, 24 years old) arrives from Norrkoping Dolphins of Sweden, where he played his first season as a professional and made an immediate impact. In 30 regular season games last season, he averaged 14.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks while shooting with efficiency around the basket. He boosted those numbers in the finals series, posting 16.4 points per game as the Dolphins clinched their fifth consecutive Swedish title. Hunter also made appearances in the Basketball Champions League qualifiers and the FIBA Europe Cup, averaging 13.4 points and 6.6 rebounds across international play.

A native of New York, Hunter played college basketball at Nova Southeastern University, where he helped the Sharks become a powerhouse in NCAA Division II. Known for his mobility, rim protection and rebounding instincts, Hunter is expected to develop into a high-level contributor at both ends of the floor.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">שיין האנטר הוחתם ויושאל בעונה הקרובה. <br>כל הפרטים &gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/5uNgbPnEd2">https://t.co/5uNgbPnEd2</a> <a href="https://t.co/whDZcKN9ZS">pic.twitter.com/whDZcKN9ZS</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1949352603839525335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Maccabi Tel Aviv news

The plan is to loan him out for the first season of the three-year contract

Olympiacos Piraeus has secured the services of All-EuroLeague forward Evan Fournier for the long term after the two sides agreed to a three-year contract extension

Olympiacos and Evan Fournier extend partnership through 2028

Olympiacos Piraeus has secured the services of star forward Evan Fournier for the long term after the two sides agreed to a three-year contract extension, the club announced on Saturday.

Fournier (2.01 meters, 32 years old) joined the club last summer on a two-year deal, so the new agreement will keep him in Piraeus through the 2027–28 campaign. In his first EuroLeague campaign, Fournier made a major impact with Olympiacos, averaging 16.1 points, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals over 37 appearances. He was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team while leading the Reds to the EuroLeague Final Four and the Greek League championship.

Before arriving in Piraeus, Fournier enjoyed a decorated NBA career with stops with the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. He began his career in his native France where Fournier suited up for INSEP, JSF Nanterre and Union Poitiers Basket 86. He was selected in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft by Denver, though he spent the bulk of his dozen NBA seasons in Orlando.

Fournier has been a longtime leader for the French national team, with whom he won a silver medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games and at EuroBasket 2022 as well as bronze medals at the Basketball World Cup in 2014 and 2019. His elite scoring ability and experience made him a cornerstone of Olympiacos's attack last season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Για πάντα στο λιμάνι!<br><br>✍🏽 Κάτοικος Πειραιά για ακόμη τρία χρόνια θα παραμείνει ο <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanFourmizz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EvanFourmizz</a> <br><br>🔴 Olympiacos BC and Evan Fournier will continue their journey together in Piraeus for the next three years.<br><br>💻 <a href="https://t.co/KOrOTpSAmM">https://t.co/KOrOTpSAmM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a>… <a href="https://t.co/73l8ar5kVE">pic.twitter.com/73l8ar5kVE</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1949183709317345455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Olympiacos news

Last season, the veteran French forward led Reds to the best record in the EuroLeague Regular Season