10 Newcomers to Watch: Israeli Basketball League

Next league under my magnifying glass is the Israeli Basketball League that starts on Saturday, 9th October with the match between Maccabi Tel aviv and Hapoel Haifa.

I will repeat the rules which players are eligible for the report:

• 1st rule: the players will be playing for the first time in this competition
• 2nd rule: only non-domestic players were eligible for the list
• 3rd rule: the player must be 27 years old or younger — so only players born in 1994 or after that were eligible for the list

The players on the list are not necessarily the best but just the most interesting to me and I expect that they will not have any problems translating to their new team and league. Also the players are not in any particular order.

Ronnie Harrell Jr. (SG/SF | 201 cm | ’96) ~ Hapoel Gilboa Galil

Ronnie Harrell Jr. started his professional career in Romania, later went to Luxembourg and played last year in Spain in the 2nd Division. Israeli league will be the strongest domestic league he has played so far and I’m curious if his game will translate to this level too. A swingman with good positional size, able to attack the rim and make shots from distance. He hasn’t bought me completely as a consistent shooting threat from distance though but he is showing some confidence when taking those shots. Probably he will have a pretty big scoring role in his team and we will see how much he will be able to score on this level.

Sacha Killeya-Jones (PF/C | 211 cm | ’98) ~ Hapoel Gilboa Galil

Another interesting player in Hapoel Gilboa Galil is Sacha Killeya Jones. He started great last season in Poland and was amongst the best players in the competition but then got injured and hasn’t played since then. Usually Hapoel Gilboa Galil has a good hand when it comes to choosing their big man in the last few years — Zach Leday, Greg Whittington, James Kelly, Kerry Blackshear, Jehyve Floyd to name a few players that played there in the last 5 seasons. Sacha is mobile for his size, can run the floor really well and can play above the rim. Has good basketball technique and knows how to create shots on post ups and also is able to attack with drives from top. We will see how he will return after the injury but he has the qualities to be a great player in this team and league.

Justin Patton (C | 211 cm | ’97) ~ Hapoel Eilat

This will be the first European experience for Justin Patton. Last few seasons he played mostly in the G League but has some minor experience from the NBA too. A big that can do some damage at the rim but also capable of stretching the floor. Not a reliable shooting threat yet but showing some decent range and touch from distance. Also protects the rim well with his length and he is showing some defensive upside. Justin played some good matches in preparations and I think he could be really good in Europe.

Timothy Soares (C | 211 cm | ’97) ~ Ironi Ness Ziona

Timothy Soares is a similar player as Patton but Timothy already has a season in Europe under his belt. He played in Turkey in their 2nd league last season and had a very good season there. Timothy is mobile for his size and great in pick & roll actions. Rolls quickly and directly to the rim, has good hands and can play above the rim too. Showing some decent touch from distance too. If he will be able to show similar performances in Israel as he did last year in Turkey, he will quickly be in the notes of some bigger and richer clubs.

Kris Clyburn (SG/SF | 198 cm | ’96) ~ Maccabi Rishon Lezion

Kris Clyburn, the younger brother from Will Clyburn, had a great season last year for Tsmoki Minsk. He averaged more than 14 points and 4 rebounds per game in all competitions combined there and he will try to bring his game to a higher level in Israel now. The athletic swingman excels on open court and in transition. Great without the ball and when he gets some kind of advantage he attacks the rim aggressively. Plays with energy and showing some good motor all the time and this kind of mindset can bring him even to some higher level of competition.

Javion Hamlet (G | 193 cm | ’98) ~ Bnei Herzliya

The only rookie on my list is Javion Hamlet that is coming to Israel directly from college. That being said, he will probably need a few months to adapt but I think that over time he should be fine. Javion has good positional size and uses it well on drives. He is not the most explosive player but somehow able to create some separation. Versatile game in offense and can do many things on the floor. I’m not completely buying his shot yet even though he had some good percentages in his college days. I think he can make a solid career in Europe.

Chinanu Onuaku (C | 206 cm | ’96) ~ Bnei Herzliya

I already made a report on Chinanu Onuaku and I think he will be a great player in this league. He can be really dominant around the rim on both sides of the floor. Physically really strong and not afraid to use his strength and can be a good post up player. Also pretty good in pick & roll sets and I think we will see a lot of dunks from him this season. In defense he is a good rim protector and can crush the boards on both ends.

Thon Maker (PF/C | 213 cm | ’97) ~ Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Jerusalem made some big signings this off-season and Thon Maker is one of them. The 10th pick from 2016 NBA Draft played for different teams in the NBA but no one found a good role and fit for him and we will see if he will be able to get a bigger role in Israel now. Thon can be a game changer with his size and length but his offensive game is still somehow unpolished. He can make shots from distance and give the team some stretch but not really a reliable shooter in my opinion. Usually plays with solid energy and in the right role, he could be a great player for this competition.

Kaiser Gates (SF | 201 cm | ’96) ~ Hapoel Jerusalem

Another interesting player that signed for Hapoel Jerusalem is Kaiser Gates. If Thon Maker was getting more opportunities in the NBA, Kaiser was playing last years in the G League. He had some 20+ points games in the G league but didn’t make the jump in the NBA. The athletic 3&D wing plays mostly off the ball and sinks those open three point shots. His release is high and not contested that easily. Limited as a creator but if his team mates will create him some space, he will make those open shots and bring some points to the table. This will be his first season outside of USA but I believe that his game will translate perfectly to Europe.

Dererk Pardon (PF/C | 203 cm | ’96) ~ Hapoel Be’er Sheva

Dererk Pardon is an undersized big with great motor and energy. Always plays hard and competes for every ball. He can turn around quickly and this agility enables him to create something from the low post against bigger and taller players. Has a very good feel for rebounds and is always at the right place. Usually knows what he needs to do and is doing that stuff on a decent level. Definitely a player to watch since he has the potential to go to a higher level at the end of the season.