By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Former Basketball Champions League MVP and champion, Manny Harris is back.
Harris, 33, passed medicals and took part in Hapoel Atsmon Holon’s practice today, Thursday. He is expected to play for the team coached by Guy Goodes for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
“I hope everyone can be patient with me as I find my rhythm but it shouldn’t take long,” he said after landing in Israel Tuesday, “Thanks to all the fans welcoming me. I am looking forward to it. Let’s have fun.”
Many Harris 💜#11💜#5
Credit copy: @yairtar pic.twitter.com/Ig6hTjzLM9
— Hapoel Holon (@HapoelHolonBC) March 2, 2023
The 2007 Mr. Basketball of Michigan, former Michigan standout in the NCAA and veteran of 93 NBA games early in his lengthy career, reunited with the Holon outfit after the first spell concluded his 2019-20 campaign.
Back in 2018, he was named BCL season MVP leading AEK to the championship. Three years forward, the attempt to launch a second run with the Queen was cut short before the official start of the 2021-22 season. He previously played in China’s CBA during the 2020-21 season.
Seeking a comeback in the Basketball Champions League
The second stint in Holon meets up at a 0-3 start in the Round of 16 Group I of FIBA’s top-tier European club continental competition. An uphill battle awaits for Goodes’ side to salvage a ticket to the Quarterfinals at the expense of at least two of SIG Strasbourg, JDA Dijon, and Winner League rival Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem. Domestically, the 12-6 record ranks third, trailing Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv by 2.5 games.
Harris will sit out the Winner League Regular Season Round 18 home game against Hapoel B-Cure Laser Haifa tomorrow alongside Javin DeLaurier. Niv Misgav is considered doubtful to play with an illness. Shifting to Gameday 4 of the Champions League’s Round of 16 brings up a visit to Hapoel Jerusalem Tuesday.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League