As Hapoel Tel Aviv prepares for its first-ever EuroLeague season, the team has been busy building a strong roster with talented players like Vasilije Micić and Chris Jones. However, the club’s owner, Ofer Yannay, recently shared that they almost added another huge name to their lineup: star forward Nigel Hayes-Davis.
🤝 A Deal Was Almost Done
Ofer Yannay explained that the team had a clear understanding with Nigel Hayes-Davis. The star player wanted to explore his options in the NBA first, and if he couldn’t secure a contract there, he had agreed to join Hapoel Tel Aviv. “We were sure we were bringing Nigel Hayes-Davis. We were sure it was happening,” Yannay said, highlighting how close the deal was.
✈️ The NBA’s Attractive Offer
The plan changed when the Phoenix Suns made an offer that was hard to refuse. Hayes-Davis, who holds the EuroLeague record for most points in a single game (50) and was a Final Four MVP, received a contract worth $7.5 million per season from the Suns. The NBA team also promised him about 15 minutes of playing time per game, an opportunity that led him to choose a career in the United States.
😉 Hoping for a Future Chance
Despite missing out on the star forward, Yannay remains optimistic and in good spirits. He mentioned that Hayes-Davis still keeps in touch with the team’s coach, Dimitris Itoudis. In a lighthearted comment, Yannay joked, “Maybe he’ll come. And if that happens, I hope that we not only reach the final against Panathinaikos, but that we beat them by 30 points.”
