Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Jerusalem is one of the most known clubs in Israel and is the big rival of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The team is currently on the third position in the Israeli Super League, having a record of 15 wins and 7 losses. Hapoel Jerusalem managed to win the Israel Cup more than a month ago but in the League Cup, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

The head coach of the organization is Oded Kattash and the team captain is Lior Eliyahu. The biggest star on the roster is Amar’e Stoudemire, who played in NBA. The other players in the team are Chris Johnson, Tamir Blatt, Demitrius Conger, Bar Timor, Yogev Ohayon, James Feldeine, Da’Sean Butler, Josh Owens, Alex Chubrevich, TaShawn Thomas, J’Covan Brown, and Tomer Levinson.

Hapoel Jerusalem plays its home games in Pais Arena Jerusalem which can hold 11,600 people. They are playing there in the Israeli League but also in the Basketball Champions League. Hapoel Jerusalem managed to eliminate Neptunas Klaipeda in the first round of playoffs and now they will meet Tenerife in the quarterfinals of BCL. If they manage to win the European competition this will become the second European title in their history.

In 2004, Hapoel Jerusalem won the ULEB Cup after beating Real Madrid. They also have 2 Israeli Championships (2015, 2017), 5 State Cups (1996, 1997, 2007, 2008, 2019), and 4 League Cups (2008, 2009, 2014, 2016). Some of the best coaches that have trained this team are Pini Gershon, Simone Pianigiani, Erez Edelstein, Brad Greenberg, and Danny Franco.

Also, in Hapoel Jerusalem’s 84-year history they had some amazing players like David Kaminsky, Yoel Steinberg, David Blatt, Miki Berkovich, Kenny Williams, Jurica Golemac, D.J. Strawberry, Curtis Jerrels, and many others.