By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv penned Oz Blayzer to a one-year contract, the Israeli powerhouse announced on Tuesday.
“I am happy and excited to come to Maccabi Tel Aviv”, he mentioned upon completing his move from Maccabi Rishon LeZion to the Israeli league champions, “I am ready for the new challenge, to prove my place and fight for the team.”
The 27-year-old Israeli forward is coming off seven straight seasons in his country’s top-tier division. Last season also competed in the 7DAYS EuroCup. The next brings him up to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
“There is no Israeli player who grew up here and does not know the meaning of a club like Maccabi,” he added per the Yellows’ official site, “I’m already waiting to start and meet all the players and team. The thing I’m most looking forward to, and even already imagine it happening, is the return of the fans to the arenas and to meet the fans as a Maccabi player in the arena.”
Maccabi is expected to confirm the addition of Chris Jones, but Blayzer became the first official new signing ahead of the 2020-21 season. He joined Maccabi Rishon in 2018, previously sported the jerseys of Maccabi Haifa and Bnei Herzliya.
“I want to welcome Oz Blayzer to Maccabi Tel Aviv. He is one more quality player that will give great solutions to our team and will be part of our family,” noted head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos, “Oz is an Israeli player who proved that he is ready for the next step and that’s why we wanted to bring him to our club.”
The newcomer’s 2019-20 run featured 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.0 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game in the regular season of the Israeli league. He went on with 11.3 points per playoffs contest. As for his debut EuroCup campaign, he posted 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 assists per match.