By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dimitris Itoudis discussed the blockbuster signing of former EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic and the team’s long efforts to recruit the Serbian superstar guard.
“In late November I signed with the club and we had some talks,” Itoudis said to SKWEEK. “Among the names I mentioned was Vasa. The contact with Vasa started in December. We had some talks with onwer of the club, mr. Offer Yanay and we talked about the possibilities to strengthen the team for the next season. Among the names I mentioned was Vasa. And we started to contact him, to explain the idea, the process and the project that this club, Hapoel Tel Aviv, wants to do. ”
Hapoel has been quite busy this summer ahead of its first ever participation in the EuroLeague. The Israeli side has signed such players as Elijah Bryant, Dan Oturu and Tyler Ennis while there are rumors that Chris Jones will also join the team.
“At the same time, allow me to say that we have signed other significant players,” Itoudis mentioned. “It’s not going to be the team of the ‘one’. It’s going to be the team of the ‘many.’ It’s going to be team effort and team job.”
Hapoel wasn’t the only club trying to sign Micic. The reported teams that made offers to the player include EuroLeague reigning champion Fenerbahce Beko, Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid.
“It wasn’t an easy deal, as you can imagine,” Itoudis commented. “There were many other teams that wanted Vasa to join their roster. It’s normal. We are satisfied. We are happy. We are extremely motivated to add another motivated individual to our club.”