By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Noam Dovrat signed with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem until the end of the 2024-25 season, the team announced Friday.
Dovrat, 19, the youngest captain in Maccabi Effie Capital Rishon LeZion history, was named the Israeli Basketball Premier League Discovery of the Year in 2020. He averaged 5.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per contest over 12 appearances to start his fourth campaign in Israel’s Winner League. His run at Rishon LeZion additionally featured ten appearances in the 7DAYS EuroCup.
“I am very happy to join Hapoel, especially by signing a long-term contract,” he mentioned commenting on his move to the Basketball Champions League outlet, “It feels good knowing that a team has faith in you. Now, I must justify the move.”
At the international level, Dovrat debuted with the Israel senior national team, received a couple of caps in the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers. Being named MVP of the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B highlighted the preceding run with the junior national teams.
“Noam is one of the most prominent talents in Israeli basketball,” noted Yotam Halperin, head coach of the team based in Jerusalem, “He is still very young and has a lot to develop, but his maturity allows us to give him a significant role immediately.”
The latest addition to the squad is expected to be available to play against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Saturday. Ahead of the Winner League Regular Season Round 13 fixture, Hapoel Jerusalem tops the domestic table carrying a 9-2 record, while its rival sits third at 7-4.
In the Champions League, the Israeli side will finish second in Group B if it defeats Baxi Manresa in a postponed game, otherwise settle for the third seed. Moving on to the best-of-three Play-In, second place will bring on Prometey and the home-court advantage and third will generate a matchup opposite Lenovo Tenerife.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL