By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Experienced floor general Speedy Smith parted ways with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem.
His request to be released from his contract was granted by the Israeli club, the team announced on Wednesday.
Smith, 31, felt unable to ‘bring his whole self to the floor’ due to the ‘current situation in the team’, as noted by Hapoel Jerusalem.
הפועל נפרדת היום מספידי סמית׳, לאחר שביקש לעזוב את הקבוצה, והמועדון נעתר לבקשתו. ספידי הרגיש שבסיטואציה הנוכחית בקבוצה, הוא לא יכול להביא את כל כולו לפרקט ולכן ביקש להיפרד.
ספידי, במשך יותר משנתיים נתת את כל כולך להפועל. זכינו יחד בשני גביעים, הגענו לגמר בלתי נשכח בליגת האלופות,… pic.twitter.com/5xxiaTp5RW
— Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) November 6, 2024
A former Louisiana Tech star in the NCAA and carrying experience from multiple countries through his professional career overseas, Smith joined the Israeli club before the 2022-23 campaign. His stint included reaching the championship game of the 2022-23 edition of the Basketball Champions League, besides lifting domestic trophies, the Midgal State Cup twice and the Winner League Cup once.
Moving along with the Jerusalem outfit to the BKT EuroCup, he tallied 7.8 points, 5.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per contest over six appearances, all starts, in the 2024-25 Regular Season. His efforts combined with a 4-2 start in the 18-game double-legged round-robin schedule of Group B. In Round 7, the team coached by Yonatan Alon faces Umana Reyer Venice in Samokov Arena later Wednesday.
In the ongoing Regular Season of Israel’s Winner League, Smith tallied 6.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game over four appearances, helping build a 4-1 record.
Displaying his talents around Europe previously extended to Lithuania through Rytas, France with Limoges CSP, Belgium with Telenet Giants Antwerp and Spirou, Hungary with Szolnoki Olaj, and Latvia with VEF Riga.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net