Avi Even: Jared Harper was close to signing with Maccabi Tel Aviv
The former sports director told the "Double Dribble" program that the "yellows" had targeted the guard — then playing for Valencia — as a replacement for the injured Wade Baldwin: "It progressed, but did not happen."
Avi Even, a former Maccabi Tel Aviv staff member, revealed in the latest episode of "Double Dribble" that the "yellows" considered signing Jared Harper back when he was a substitute for Valencia, before he became a superstar for Hapoel Jerusalem.
"I will give you a small scoop," said Even. "When Wade Baldwin was injured in the 2022/23 season, we wanted to bring in a player. I really, really like Jared Harper, because in his first year in the EuroLeague, 10 points in 17 and a half minutes are crazy numbers for a top scorer. We really wanted him, and it progressed, but in the end, it did not happen."
"Wait, Jared Harper was a touch away from Maccabi Tel Aviv?" wondered panel member Roi Zuckerman.
"Sort of," replied Even. "In my opinion, Hapoel Jerusalem managed to keep its most important strategic asset because he is a special player; there are not many like him."
When Dror Hoffman asked how it is possible that Harper did not return to the EuroLeague, Even replied: "It is a huge success for Hapoel Jerusalem. And I think that the signing of Jaleen Smith was a fantastic move because he complements and balances the team better than Cassius Winston. From the defensive side, he is a beast; he can play both positions, which is very significant. He was also close to Maccabi Tel Aviv several times. They are building something very, very interesting there."
