By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the EuroLeague registration deadline fast approaching, Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv is finalizing a deal to bring in 25-year-old forward Kessler Edwards, as first reported by ONE and confirmed by several fellow Israeli outlets on Wednesday.
After the unsuccessful pursuit of Nigel Hayes-Davis and a period of monitoring Dario Saric, the Israeli powerhouse has pivoted to the Grand Rapids Gold standout to fortify its frontcourt for the stretch run of the 2025-26 season across continental and domestic competitions.
The EuroLeague registration deadline for players who haven’t competed in Euroleague Basketball competitions this season expires next Wednesday. Therefore, the team coached by Dimitris Itoudis must move quickly to integrate a new signing into the roster.
Entering the bottom end of the EuroLeague Regular Season, a 16-11 record currently sits sixth, at the bottom end of the direct tickets to the Playoffs 2026. It is distanced half a game away from the Play-In Showdown zone and 2.5 games from elimination. Domestically, 32 points lead Israel’s Winner League Regular Season, but the attached 15-2 record trails Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv’s 15-1.
Edwards has spent his entire professional career between the NBA and G League. Back in 2021, he was drafted with the 44th overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets, out of Pepperdine, and went on to play in 186 games, from the Nets to the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks. This season with the Gold in the G League, he has averaged 15.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest.