Hapoel’s owner Ofer Yannay: “We were sure we were bringing Nigel Hayes-Davis”

Hapoel Tel Aviv, which is set to debut in the EuroLeague, has been active in the European market by signing players such as Vasilije Micić, Elijah Bryant, Dan Oturu, and Chris Jones.

According to the club's owner Ofer Yannay, the team was close to securing another major signing during the summer: Nigel Hayes-Davis. Yannay stated that Hayes-Davis had expressed his intention to join Hapoel Tel Aviv if he did not secure an NBA contract. However, Hayes-Davis ultimately signed with the Phoenix Suns after receiving an offer of $7.5 million per season and a promise of 15 minutes of playing time per game.

Despite the deal falling through, Yannay remains hopeful, noting that Hayes-Davis is still in contact with coach Dimitris Itoudis. He humorously added that if Hayes-Davis were to join, he hopes the team would not only reach the EuroLeague final against Panathinaikos but win by 30 points.