By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem added Israeli-Russian wing Egor Koulechov.
Koulechov, 30, signed a three-month contract with an option to be extended until the end of the 2024-25 season, the Israeli club announced on Monday afternoon.
The experienced swingman ended a stint with Avtodor to return to Israel’s Winner League and debut in the BKT EuroCup. Over 14 appearances in the ongoing installment of the VTB United League, he averaged 4.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest.
Following a college career in the United States featuring spells at Florida, Rice, and Arizona State, Koulechov focused his professional career in Israel, except for joining UNICS at the top of the 2020-21 campaign. Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Rishon Lezion, Ironi Nahariya, and Hapoel Holon are his former teams. From 2010 to 2014, he represented Israel in multiple junior international tournaments.
“I am happy to join Hapoel, a great club that I always enjoyed playing against. I am pleased for the fans finally being on my side,” he welcomed his move to the Jerusalem outfit, “I am joining an excellent team that can go far and I intend to do everything I can for the team’s success and to win titles.”
He meets the team coached by Yonatan Alon at 7-4 and in second place in Group B of the EuroCup Regular Season. Returning to the top division of Israel, the current situation sets up an 8-2 W-L tally, one game behind leader Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.