By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
During Dimitris Itoudis’ presentation as the newest head coach of Hapoel Tel Aviv, the team’s owner Ofer Yannay hinted at a potential revolution upcoming in the European basketball landscape.
“There’s a good chance that European basketball will have more options next summer rather than the EuroLeague for teams that want to compete and invest a lot of money. I’m not sure the EuroLeague is going to be the only option, for us”, he commented.
Hapoel Tel Aviv’s owner also said he wants his team to be “ready for all the options”, hinting at other competitions where the Israeli powerhouse could potentially land.
“I think the competition between leagues is coming”, Ofer Yannay also said looking at the future of European basketball probably referring to the scenario of a new league created by the NBA in the old continent.
He also came back to last year’s elimination in the BKT EuroCup Quarter-Finals, and how they could end up on top this year. “We will try to win it, but the EuroCup is one of the hardest competitions to win. Last year we were up by 23 points in the Quarter-Finals and we lost [to Besiktas]. It felt like a car crash in slow motion”, Hapoel Tel Aviv’s owner recalled.
Yannay Expects Motley’s Return
Among other topics, Hapoel’s owner spoke about the situation with U.S. center Johnathan Motley, expressing that the former Fenerbahce player will rejoin the team.
“Johnathan Motley is a good guy. His contract is valid. We expect him to return soon. His representative spoke with us on Friday, and we anticipate his comeback shortly,” Yannay said.
Full Dimitris Itoudis’ press conference:
PHOTO CREDIT: BKT EuroCup