Jaylen Hoard Opens Up About Turbulent Season and Maccabi Tel Aviv Double
Jaylen Hoard reflected on a turbulent season with Maccabi Tel Aviv featuring domestic titles, EuroLeague relocations, and his ambitions with the France national team.
Jaylen Hoard returned to his YouTube channel this week after a long break, reflecting on a turbulent season with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The French forward discussed the immense challenges of a campaign marked by regional tensions, the brief return of EuroLeague games to Israel, and a triumphant domestic double.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Opening his new video, Hoard explained his hiatus from content creation. "I think the main reason is that during the season there are a lot of ups and downs," Hoard said. "We went through quite a lot last year. The games returned to Israel and then we had to stop playing there again. We went far in the playoffs and won the championship."
Despite the mental toll, Hoard expressed excitement about resuming his vlogs. He noted that fans constantly ask about his YouTube channel around Tel Aviv, and he aims to be more consistent this upcoming year while maintaining total focus on basketball.
The EuroLeague Journey and Domestic Triumph
Reflecting on Maccabi Tel Aviv hosting games in Israel before security situations forced them to relocate once more, Hoard called the experience unforgettable. "It was amazing. It had been a long time, almost two years, since we played there," he recalled. "We enjoyed it very much, we had a streak of six wins without a loss."
"We managed to win the Cup, and it was a great achievement. I remember we had a lot of injuries and went through various things within the team. We weren't necessarily the favorites, so it was special," Hoard stated regarding their resilient championship run.
Representing France
Following the conclusion of the season, Hoard vacationed in Guadeloupe before joining the France national team for World Cup qualifiers. Representing his country remains a childhood dream, heavily inspired by his mother's athletic career.
"Getting a call-up to the national team is a dream and a great honor," Hoard concluded. "Next summer there is a World Cup, and my dream is to be in the squad. Every time I arrive at the national team, I try to enjoy the experience and learn as much as possible from top EuroLeague and NBA players."
