Hapoel Jerusalem adds Brown from Gilboa/Galil, Mac TA hopes to keep Pargo

A graduate of the University of Texas, Brown has played six seasons in Europe.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Hapoel Jerusalem looks to add some backcourt depth next season with the signing of J’Covan Brown, who played this year at Gilboa/Galil (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Hapoel Jerusalem looks to add some backcourt depth next season with the signing of J’Covan Brown, who played this year at Gilboa/Galil
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
After a disappointing end to the Basketball Super League season, Hapoel Jerusalem made its first move for 2018/19, with Reds announcing on Monday the signing of J’Covan Brown from Hapoel Gilboa/Galil for the next two years.
“I am happy and excited to join Hapoel Jerusalem,” said the 28-year-old guard. “The quarterfinals were fascinating and brought out the best in me. The atmosphere in the Malha Arena was amazing and I’m eager to be with the awesome fans in Jerusalem.”
Jerusalem wasted no time after losing to Hapoel Holon in the Final Four and failing to defend its championship, adding the Gilboa/Galil star who excelled in the quarterfinals against the Reds. In the four-game series against Jerusalem, Brown put up averages of 20.3 points, 6.3 assists and 2.3 steals a game, while shooting 56.7% from three-point range, but also turned over the ball 4.3 times per game.
A graduate of the University of Texas, Brown has played six seasons in Europe.
Jerusalem coach Oded Katash was very excited about the signing.
“I am very happy about J’Covan joining our club. We are all familiar with his qualities as a player, and beyond his on-court skills, he is a leader who carries everyone with his commitment.”
Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s leaders will gather in the next few days to form and build the squad for the next season, with one of the goals expected to be convincing point guard Jeremy Pargo to return to the yellow-and-blue
After winning the BSL title last week against Hapoel Holon, Maccabi indicated its interest in resigning the 32-year-old American, who performed well on the floor, demonstrated leadership in the locker room and is highly valued by the coaching staff.
Blue-and-white preps for qualifiers
In other news, the Israel national team met in Ramat Gan to start training for its upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifier games against Greece (June 28 at Yad Eliyahu) and Great Britain (July 2 in Glasgow).
The blue-and-white will also hold an exhibition game against Ukraine this Friday at in Beersheba.
Itai Segev, with an injured left ankle, is not expected to take part in the upcoming national team games. Tomer Ginat, who suffered a left shoulder injury, was released. Sean Dawson, who re-turned from a training camp in the United States, did not take part in practice due to a thigh injury. Dawson attended the season but did not dress.
Hapoel Tel Aviv captain Raviv Limonad also did not train because of pain in the knee. Richard Howell, who was also present at the practice, received another day of rest and is expected to re-turn for the Ukraine contest along with Tamir Blatt and Guy Pnini of Hapoel Holon. Omri Casspi is not schedule to participate in any of the next three games for Israel
Among the new faces on the national uniform are Adam Ariel from Ashdod and Golan Gut from Ness Ziona.
“We do not remember the season anymore,” said the team’s coach, Oded Katash. “We’re already here on the national team. The first two round of qualification ended with good home games for us and with far less good road contests, to say the least. It puts us in a situation where these up-coming games are more significant and also more difficult. It is a challenge that we hope to rise to.”
About the roster and the injured players, Katash added, “I look at the players here and know they are extremely committed. We can estimate that Segev will not take part in this round, but of course we will welcome a pleasant surprise from him. Alex Tyus finished the season late and needs a few days of rest and also has some personal matters to deal with. It’s a committed team with character, it’s a big challenge and these players have to prove they can do it.”


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