Hapoel Tel Aviv Forward Jacob Toppin Nears Israeli Citizenship
Hapoel Tel Aviv forward Jacob Toppin is nearing Israeli citizenship due to his Jewish heritage. The 26-year-old American expects to complete the naturalization process by early 2027.
Hapoel Tel Aviv forward Jacob Toppin is advancing in his naturalization process and is expected to receive Israeli citizenship within the next month and a half to two months, according to recent estimates.
Toppin, 26 and 2.06 meters tall, signed a three-year contract with the club in the summer, running until the end of the 2028/29 season. Hapoel Tel Aviv worked to secure Israeli citizenship for him based on his Jewish heritage, enabling him to register for domestic competitions as a local player. The process is in advanced stages, and current projections indicate he will receive his Israeli identity card by early 2027.
The American forward, a graduate of the prestigious University of Kentucky, arrived in Israel following three years in the NBA and the G League. This season marks his first outside the United States. Overall, he recorded 31 appearances in the world's premier basketball league playing for the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks. His brother is NBA star Obi Toppin.
Reds head coach Dimitris Itoudis addressed the ongoing process this week, stating: "We had a very good meeting, all the facts and evidence are there, and I think and hope that he will soon receive his citizenship so he can play as an Israeli."
"I believe I will get my citizenship soon. We went through a long process and I will get the passport soon," Toppin added.
