By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Former NBA player Chris Johnson inked a two-year contract extension with Hapoel U-NET Holon, the team announced.
“I am very excited to sign a new two-year contract,” noted the former Dayton standout, “Holon is my second home. I love the organization and the amazing fans. It’s time to continue achieving our goals.”
Johnson, 31, joined the Israeli club prior to the 2020-21 season. Adding on his Basketball Champions League experience, he averaged 11.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game in 2020-21, and has 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.8 assists, and 0.8 blocks per contest over nine appearances so far this season.
“We are delighted with Chris re-signing for another two years,” said head coach Guy Goodes, “Chris has been one of our most important players the last two seasons. A team like Hapoel Holon seeks stability and continuity. That is the success of the team and exactly what Chris brings.”
The first stint in Israel generated his first ten BCL appearances as a member of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in 2018-19. His European travels additionally feature a couple of campaigns in France with BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque and JL Bourg.
Despite going undrafted in 2012, the Dayton product logged 147 NBA games played between the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, and Milwaukee Bucks until 2016, before shifting focus overseas.
Hapoel Holon is part of the Champions League Round of 16 Group I alongside MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, Galatasaray Nef, and JDA Dijon. The top two teams after the six-game home-and-away round-robin schedule will advance to the Quarterfinals. Last season, his side made it to the Final Eight but bumped into Hereda San Pablo Burgos en route to a back-to-back championship.
Domestically, the team led by Goodes is currently tied for third place behind an 8-5 W-L tally in Israel’s Winner League. In 2020-21, it reached the semifinals of the Playoffs.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League