Hapoel Tel Aviv begin the 2026/27 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with a deep roster and a project that has shifted several pillars in the summer market. The club confirms its place in Europe's top competition with a mix of local continuity, international experience and meaningful movement in the frontcourt and at the point.
The turnover has been substantial. Key departures include Johnathan Motley and Chris Jones to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, Collin Malcolm to Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Kessler Edwards to Virtus Bologna and Yam Madar to Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, along with contract expirations for Bruno Caboclo and Levi Randolph. Incoming, Hapoel have added Tomas Satoransky from Barça, Zach LeDay from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, free-agent signings Khadeen Carrington and Frédéric Bourdillon, and brought back Tamir Blatt from Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv. The current roster lists more than twenty players, with jersey numbers confirmed through the competition's official API.
The team's identity points to a high-level backcourt and real depth on the perimeter. Vasilije Micic and Tomas Satoransky anchor the playmaking; Tamir Blatt adds continuity and a link to Israeli basketball. On the wings, Amir Coffey, Antonio Blakeney, Elijah Bryant and Khadeen Carrington provide scoring options, while Zach LeDay, Tomer Ginat and Oz Blayzer strengthen the frontcourt. Homegrown and local players —Bar Timor, Guy Palatin, Itay Segev— preserve the domestic component required in the EuroLeague.
arrives as a primary creator after his experience at Europe's highest level. His ability to organise, create his own shot and distribute under pressure fits a Hapoel side that will need pace and clarity from the opening whistle.
brings game reading and veteran poise. His move from Barça raises the project's credibility and the execution standard in the decisive stretches of the regular season.
completes a backcourt trio with roots in the Israeli scene. His return from Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv reinforces the club's local identity and adds another passing and leadership option in transition.
The risks are clear with such a large squad. Integrating multiple point guards and wings will require stable rotations; the lack of consolidated previous-season data in Layup Nation makes it hard to measure the team's exact competitive starting point. The early schedule offers little relief either: Real Madrid, Panathinaikos BC and Anadolu Efes Istanbul are among the first opponents, testing group cohesion from October onward.
Editorially, Hapoel Tel Aviv look like a side that can fight for mid-table positions if talent translates into consistency. With no internal 2025/26 record to project a precise win total, the analysis cautiously points to a team capable of competing on the road and protecting home court in Tel Aviv, with room to target the play-in if the backcourt performs to the level its profile suggests.
The official tip-off is set for 24 September 2026 against FC Bayern Munich at home (19:00 UTC). That is followed by a trip to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on 29 September, a home date with Real Madrid on 1 October, a visit to Valencia Basket on 8 October, a home game against Besiktas Istanbul on 14 October, a road test at Panathinaikos BC on 16 October, a meeting with Virtus Bologna on 21 October and a clash with Anadolu Efes Istanbul on 28 October. It is a demanding opening block that should set the tone early.
