By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A severe regional security incident during Israel’s Winner League Playoffs 2026 has triggered a roster crisis for Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem, besides previously forcing the abrupt suspension of Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinal series against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv.
Ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled meeting at the Pais Arena to resume postseason action, the team announced a massive wave of player departures. Import forwards Xavier Sneed and Isaiah Mobley have already left Israel. Teammates Josiah-Jordan James and Austin Wiley are actively preparing to exit the country as well. Furthermore, star guard Khadeen Carrington has been labeled as doubtful to play for the upcoming fixture, with team officials expecting him to make a similar decision to fly home.
These decisions leave head coach Yonatan Alon facing a heavily depleted rotation. The only remaining available foreign players on the roster are Jared Harper, Justin Smith, Cassius Winston, and Dmytro Skapintsev, all of whom have chosen to remain in Israel following explicit safety guarantees from team management.
“The past day was one of the most complex and challenging that I’ve experienced since acquiring the club,” confessed team owner Matan Adelson in an official statement. “I commit to the supporters that I am doing and will continue to do everything in my power to ensure we keep fighting for our ultimate goal, winning titles.”
הסגל שלנו למשחק מספר 2 הערב (20:50) בסדרת חצי הגמר מול הפועל ת”א:
ג׳סטין סמית׳, ג׳ארד הארפר, קאדין קרינגטון, רני בלגה, קשיוס ווינסטון, יובל בן עטר, רועי הובר, נמרוד לוי, יותם חנוכי, צוף בן משה, איתן בורג ודימה סקפינצב.
לאחר שיחות ממושכות והבהרות מצד הנהלת המועדון כי החל משעות… pic.twitter.com/DUvKyZvirt
— Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) June 9, 2026
The league-wide instability extended across the playoff bracket, with Hapoel Tel Aviv players also fleeing the country and Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv players electing to sit out Monday’s Game 1.
Winner League Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva/Dimona 2-0 (106-90, 108-83)
Bnei Penlink Herzliya – Hapoel Netanel Holon 0-2 (73-84, 84-99)
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv – Maccabi Tapuzina Rishon LeZion 2-1 (74-82, 95-69, 96-83)
Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem – Hapoel Gilat Telecom Haemek 2-0 (82-71, 98-91)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Hapoel Netanel Holon 1-0 (107-93)
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv – Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem
Finals (best-of-five)
Semifinals winners
Make