Hapoel Tel Aviv nets former NBA slam dunk champ Nate Robinson
Veteran player to arrive Thursday night; fans encouraged to come greet ‘one of the biggest basketball stars to ever come to Israel’
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Nate Robinson, a three-time winner of the NBA’s slam dunk contest despite standing only 5’9″, has signed for the Israeli basketball team Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Hapoel posted the news on its website Thursday, saying it was “proud to announce the signing of one of the biggest basketball stars to ever come to Israel.”
Robinson, 31, who is considered diminutive by pro basketball standards, was released by the New Orleans Pelicans in October after an 11-year career in the NBA.
Hapoel chairman Rami Cohen said Robinson’s signing was a significant move for the team.
“I’m delighted an NBA star of this magnitude is coming to a club like Hapoel Tel Aviv. It shows the spirit, passion and love for basketball that we have in our club,” he said.
A statement on the Hapoel Tel Aviv website said that Robinson was expected to land in Israel Thursday night and encouraged fans to greet him at the airport to give him “a warm and red welcome,” referring to the team’s iconic colors.
Hapoel also posted a video of some of Robinson’s greatest moments, including shots from his three winning slam dunk contests, expressing its excitement at signing such a big name: “We have just three words for you — Welcome Nate Robinson.”
The news comes just a week after the former University of Washington standout released a video saying he intended to attempt a career in the NFL; he had played a year of college football.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p8ahqG6CNw
In his 11 years in the NBA, Robinson played guard for six teams, averaging 11 points and 3 assists per game.
JTA contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.