Intriguing signing: Hapoel Jerusalem added Kenny Lofton Jr.
The Reds continue to shape the roster for the next season: The forward (23, 1.98 meters) who was considered a great prospect in college but failed to establish himself in the NBA. Since 2024, he played in the Chinese league: "I was impressed by the high expectations." Obradovic: "A rare combination of strength, talent, and ability to influence."
Hapoel Jerusalem announced today (Sunday) the signing of American forward Kenny Lofton Jr. (23, 1.98 meters) for the upcoming season. After nearly two years in the Chinese league, Lofton will arrive in the capital in what is expected to be one of the most prominent signings for the Reds this summer.
Lofton Jr. was on Hapoel Jerusalem's radar two years ago when he was out of the NBA, but the club could not meet his financial demands. He will now earn 1.3 million dollars in the upcoming season, with only Jared Harper earning more than him on the team.
"I am happy to join Hapoel Jerusalem and start my journey in European basketball," said Lofton Jr. in the club's announcement. "From the first moment, I was impressed by the club's high ambitions, and I want to thank coach Sasa Obradovic and the management for the trust they placed in me. I am already looking forward to arriving in Jerusalem, meeting the fans, getting to know my new teammates, and fighting in every game for the club. Yalla Hapoel!"
Team coach Sasa Obradovic added:
"Kenny is a player with a rare combination of strength, talent, and the ability to influence the game. He will bring us a significant presence in the paint, control of rebounds, and diverse offensive skills. He has proven himself at the stops he has made throughout his career, and we are confident that he will add significant quality to us on both sides of the court. We are happy that he is joining Hapoel."
Lofton Jr. broke into the consciousness at the U19 World Championship when he represented the United States in the famous game against Victor Wembanyama. After finishing his studies at Louisiana Tech, he began a journey between the G-League and the NBA, failing to break through the ceiling of the best league in the world, where he recorded 4.8 points and 2 rebounds on average per game throughout his career. In the last two years, he played for the Chinese Shanghai Sharks, where in the last season he recorded 13.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on average per game.
Lofton Jr. completes the team's frontcourt alongside Devontae Cacok and Dusan Miletic, who has already agreed to his terms with the team and will sign officially after the end of his season in the Lebanese league. David Roddy, who also signed with the team, is capable of playing in the interior positions and will join the interior game, with three Israelis also playing in the forward and center positions - Nimrod Levi, Yotam Hanochi, and Gaby Chachashvili.
This is the team's fourth reinforcement since the beginning of the summer alongside Jaleen Smith, Cacok, and David Roddy. Besides him and Miletic, another guard is expected to sign to lock in the roster for the upcoming season.
