Hapoel Jerusalem (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Hapoel
'Migdal' Jerusalem is a professional basketball
team that is based in Jerusalem, Israel
. The club currently plays in the Eurocup, Israeli Super League (the top division of Israeli basketball), and the Israeli State Cup
.
In 1996 and 1997, Hapoel won the State Cup
, defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv in the finals, at the Yad Eliyahu Arena (now known as the Nokia Arena
). The team was led by Adi Gordon, widely considered the team's symbol and one of its best players.
In 2004, Hapoel Jerusalem won their first European title – the ULEB Cup
, defeating Real Madrid
in the final. (In the same year, the other major European basketball trophy—the Euroleague
– was won by another Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
In 2005 a percentage of the team was bought by the Israeli-Russian billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak
. The team got stronger, and bought four American players, with an NBA record – Tamar Slay
, Horace Jenkins
, Roger Mason and Mario Austin
. The team also purchased Israeli star Meir Tapiro
and other Israeli leading players.
In 2007, Hapoel won its third State Cup
, defeating Bnei HaSharon
103–85 at Nokia Arena
.
In early 2008 Hapoel came back from being 22 points down, in the 4th quarter to win its fourth State Cup
, beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 93–89. In late 2008 Hapoel won its first Israeli Basketball League Cup, beating Ironi Nahariya
84–69.
In September 2009, Guma Aguiar
had joined Hapoel Jerusalem as the team's sponsor and helped clear the debts left by Mr. Gaydamak. This ensured Hapoel would be able to compete yet again at the highest leavels. On October 8, 2009 Hapoel beat Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup finals 86–80, winning the club's second cup in a row.
Pini Gershon Gadi Kedar Zvi Sherf
Yoram Harush Sharon Drucker Erez Edelstein
Hapoel
Hapoel is an Israeli sport association. It was established in 1926 as a union of the Histadrut, and represented the workers class...
'Migdal' Jerusalem is a professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team that is based in Jerusalem, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. The club currently plays in the Eurocup, Israeli Super League (the top division of Israeli basketball), and the Israeli State Cup
Israeli Basketball State Cup
The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
.
History
Hapoel Jerusalem was founded in 1943 and initially played in a small court on Histadrut Street, before moving to the YMCA Arena, and finally moving to the only indoor arena in Jerusalem at that time: "The Strauss Arena". In the late 1980s the team moved to the 3,000-seat Malha Arena.In 1996 and 1997, Hapoel won the State Cup
Israeli Basketball State Cup
The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
, defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv in the finals, at the Yad Eliyahu Arena (now known as the Nokia Arena
Nokia Arena
The Yad Eliyahu Arena , commercially Nokia Arena , is a 11,700-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in southeastern Tel Aviv, Israel. The arena is home to the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, a member of the Maccabi Tel Aviv sports club...
). The team was led by Adi Gordon, widely considered the team's symbol and one of its best players.
In 2004, Hapoel Jerusalem won their first European title – the ULEB Cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
, defeating Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
in the final. (In the same year, the other major European basketball trophy—the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
– was won by another Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
In 2005 a percentage of the team was bought by the Israeli-Russian billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak
Arcadi Gaydamak
Arcadi Aleksandrovich Gaydamak, is a Russian-Israeli businessman, who was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honour. On April 29, 2011 the Court of Appeal in Paris acquitted him of charges of arms dealing...
. The team got stronger, and bought four American players, with an NBA record – Tamar Slay
Tamar Slay
Tamar Ulysses Slay is an American professional basketball player, currently playing in Italy's LegADue for Umana Venezia. A 6 ft 8 in guard/forward, he was formerly with the NBA's New Jersey Nets and Charlotte Bobcats.Slay was the 54th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, selected by the New...
, Horace Jenkins
Horace Jenkins
Horace Jenkins is an American professional basketball player, formerly of the NBA and currently with Italian Lega Basket team Climamio Bologna....
, Roger Mason and Mario Austin
Mario Austin
Mario Trevon Austin is an American professional basketball player. Drafted 36th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Mario did not make the roster following training camp and left to play overseas.He began his professional career with CSKA Moscow, but was released after an injury...
. The team also purchased Israeli star Meir Tapiro
Meir Tapiro
Meir Tapiro , born 28 March 1975) is an Israeli basketball player who currently plays for Maccabi Ashdod. Tapiro plays in the Point Guard position....
and other Israeli leading players.
In 2007, Hapoel won its third State Cup
Israeli Basketball State Cup
The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
, defeating Bnei HaSharon
Bnei HaSharon
Bnei HaSharon/Herzliya is a professional basketball club based in Herzliya, in central Israel. The club currently plays in Ligat HaAl, the top division of Israeli basketball.The club was created by the merge of Maccabi Ra'anana and Bnei Herzliya in 2002...
103–85 at Nokia Arena
Nokia Arena
The Yad Eliyahu Arena , commercially Nokia Arena , is a 11,700-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in southeastern Tel Aviv, Israel. The arena is home to the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, a member of the Maccabi Tel Aviv sports club...
.
In early 2008 Hapoel came back from being 22 points down, in the 4th quarter to win its fourth State Cup
Israeli Basketball State Cup
The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
, beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 93–89. In late 2008 Hapoel won its first Israeli Basketball League Cup, beating Ironi Nahariya
Ironi Nahariya
Ironi Nahariya is a professional basketball club based in Nahariya in northern Israel. The team plays in Liga Leumit, the Second division in Israeli basketball.-History:...
84–69.
In September 2009, Guma Aguiar
Guma Aguiar
Guma L. Aguiar is a Brazilian-born energy industrialist and millionaire businessperson who splits his time living between the United States and Israel. Guma Aguiar is recognized as a leading philanthropist who has supported a variety of Jewish causes including Nefesh B'Nefesh and the March of the...
had joined Hapoel Jerusalem as the team's sponsor and helped clear the debts left by Mr. Gaydamak. This ensured Hapoel would be able to compete yet again at the highest leavels. On October 8, 2009 Hapoel beat Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Winner Cup finals 86–80, winning the club's second cup in a row.
Depth Chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Bench | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Jarvis Varnado Jarvis Varnado Jarvis Varnado is an American basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. of the Israeli Basketball Super League. Varnado was selected by the Miami Heat in the 2010 NBA Draft.... |
Uri Kukia Uri Kukia Uri Kukia is an Israeli professional basketball player. He is a center/power forward and team captain for Hapoel Jerusalem, and a member of the Israel national basketball team.-Basketball career:... |
||
| PF Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... |
Brian Randle Brian Randle Brian Randle is an American basketball player. He recently played college basketball at the University of Illinois and wore the number 42. Randle graduated from Peoria Notre Dame High School in 2003 and had an outstanding senior season averaging 22.9 points, 12.8 rebounds, 5.2 blocks and 3.1... |
Elishay Kadir Elishay Kadir Elishay Kadir is an Israeli professional basketball player. He can play at the power forward position. He is 203 cm in height. He currently plays with the pro club Maccabi Haifa.- References :... |
||
| SF Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
Luke Jackson | Moshe Mizrahi | ||
| SG Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
D.J. Strawberry | Andrew Salop | ||
| PG Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
Yuval Naimy Yuval Naimy Yuval Naimy is an Israeli point guard and shooting guard, who is currently playing for Hapoel Jerusalem and Israel national basketball team.... |
Guni Israeli | Guy Dotan |
Notable players
| Adi Gordon Meir Tapiro Meir Tapiro Meir Tapiro , born 28 March 1975) is an Israeli basketball player who currently plays for Maccabi Ashdod. Tapiro plays in the Point Guard position.... Papi Turgeman Doron Sheffer Doron Sheffer Doron Sheffer , is an Israeli professional basketball player formerly with Maccabi Tel Aviv.Sheffer first gained fame at age 21 when he led Hapoel Galil Elyon to a 1993 victory in the Israeli League semifinals over Maccabi Tel Aviv... Ido Kozikaro Erez Markovich Matan Naor Matan Naor Matan Naor is an Israeli basketball player who currently plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv.-References:... Doron Shefa Erez Katz Dror Hagag |
Tunji Awojobi Tunji Awojobi Tunji Femi Awojobi is a retired Nigerian professional basketball player. A former boxer, Awojobi graduated from Boston University in 1997. Following graduation, he played in several European countries, most notably in Israel... Emir Mutapčić  Radisav ĆurčićRadisav Curcic Radisav Ćurčić is a Serbian basketball player, who also holds an Israeli citizenship. He is 206 cm tall , and played center.His clubs included:... Jamie Arnold Norris ColemanNorris Coleman Norris James Coleman is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2nd round of the 1987 NBA Draft... Roger Mason Roger Mason, Jr. Roger Philip Mason, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New York Knicks of the NBA.-Early career:... Derrick Hamilton Derrick Hamilton (basketball) Derrick Lamont Hamilton is a former professional basketball player. A 6'7" small forward, Hamilton was a college hoops star at The University of Southern Mississippi, with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the late 1980s... Kelly McCarty Kelly McCarty Kelly Deshawn McCarty is a naturalized Russian professional basketball player, originally from the United States . He currently plays with UNICS Kazan of the VTB United League.... |
Billy Thompson Billy Thompson (basketball) William Stansbury Thompson is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA... Kenny Williams Kenny Williams (basketball) Kenneth Ray "Kenny" Williams is a former professional basketball player, most notably with the NBA's Indiana Pacers. He was known for his stellar leaping ability and off-court problems.... Mario Austin Mario Austin Mario Trevon Austin is an American professional basketball player. Drafted 36th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Mario did not make the roster following training camp and left to play overseas.He began his professional career with CSKA Moscow, but was released after an injury... Terence Morris Terence Morris Terence Darea Morris is an American professional basketball player.- High school career :... Will Solomon Will Solomon William "Will" James Solomon is an American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Cherkassky Mavpy in Ukraine. He has also played with the Sacramento Kings of the NBA.-Amateur career:... Travis Watson Travis Watson Travis Watson is an American professional basketball player. A 2.03 m power forward, he led the 2007-08 Euroleague in rebounds with 9.7 per game playing for Armani Jeans Milano.- Amateur career :... Timmy Bowers Timmy Bowers Timothy Jermaine Bowers is an American basketball player who currently plays with the Italian "Lega A" team Pepsi Juvecaserta.At 6'2", he is capable of playing both guard positions.... Horace Jenkins Horace Jenkins Horace Jenkins is an American professional basketball player, formerly of the NBA and currently with Italian Lega Basket team Climamio Bologna.... |
Notable coaches
Effi BirnbaumEffi Birnbaum
Efraim "Effi" Birnbaum , is an Israeli basketball coach. He was coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv for the beginning of 2008-09 season until he was terminated on November 24, 2008.-Coaching career:-References:...
Pini Gershon Gadi Kedar Zvi Sherf
Zvi Sherf
Zvi Sherf , known almost universally by his nickname Zvika , is an Israeli basketball coach and former player. He is currently the coach of the Spartak St. Petersburg of the Russian Super League....
Yoram Harush Sharon Drucker Erez Edelstein
Honors
- ULEB CupULEB CupEurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
- Winners: 2003–04
- Israeli State CupIsraeli Basketball State CupThe Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
- Winners: 1995–96, 1996–97, 2006–07, 2007–08
- Israeli Basketball League Cup
- Winners: 2008–09, 2009–10