By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Johnathan Motley has finalized his transfer from Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, completing his move on Thursday morning following his formal release.
Penning a multi-year contract, the 31-year-old big brings premier continental pedigree to the Serbian capital, having already logged 107 appearances across Europe’s top-tier competition. A former Baylor standout, Motley’s professional resume also includes 46 NBA games split between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks.
The Houston-born forward-center previously served as a cornerstone of Hapoel’s ambitious rise. During their historic 2024–25 campaign, he powered the squad with impressive averages of 16.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. His dominance culminated in the BKT EuroCup Finals against Dreamland Gran Canaria, where he poured in 22.0 points per game to capture the championship and Finals Most Valuable honors. That triumph secured Hapoel’s maiden ticket to the EuroLeague, where Motley remained central to their success. In the club’s debut season among the elite clubs of the Old Continent, he shot a remarkable 65.4% from two-point range and averaged 8.3 points per contest to help propel the team coached by Dimitris Itoudis into the Playoffs. His domestic footprint was equally stellar, maintaining a 14.1-point average over 56 Winner League appearances.
Џонатан Мотли нови је центар КК Црвена звезда Меридианбет!
Мотли у наш клуб, са којим је потписао вишегодишњи уговор, стиже из Хапоела из Тел Авива, где је играо претходне две сезоне, а био је члан и Фенербахчеа, Локомотиве Кубан, Лос Анђелес Клиперса и Далас Маверикса.
Мотли… pic.twitter.com/B6b69OPsO0
— KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) July 17, 2026
Picking up the versatile American frontcourt star, Zvezda signals their fierce intentions for the upcoming 2026–27 EuroLeague campaign. Motley arrives as a crown jewel in an aggressive offseason recruitment drive orchestrated by the Belgrade powerhouse. He joins fellow summer roster additions David Kramer, Chris Jones, and Nikola Djurisic, under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Ibon Navarro.
Make