The Maccabi Haifa professional basketball team, the Israeli Premier League runner up, announced today they have re-signed superstar forward Davon Jefferson to a one-year contract.
Jefferson, 22, earned the League’s Sixth Man Award after finishing his first professional season in Israel averaging 16.7 points and 7.9 rebounds in 28 games.
Jefferson, who averaged a double-double (19.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg) in the team’s last seven playoff games, became a dominant presence on the court earning the reputation as one of the league’s most impressive dunkers.
“I’m very happy to return to Maccabi Haifa.
I truly felt at home here in Israel and I want to help this team go even further this year,” said Jefferson.
“Davon was a key to our offense last season,” said Coach Avi Ashkenazi.
“His tremendous work ethic, desire to win, and explosive offensive ability makes him one of the most dynamic players in Israel. “
Jefferson, a native of Lynwood, California, played his collegiate ball at the University of Southern California with current NBA-star O.J. Mayo, before leaving school to play overseas after his freshman season.
“We are very pleased to bring Davon back to Haifa,” said owner Jeffrey Rosen.
“It was a pleasure to watch Davon hone his skills over the course of the season to become a force in the Israeli Premier League. Davon’s signing is a statement that Maccabi Haifa will again endeavor to earn
a Final Four appearance this upcoming season.”
The Jefferson signing marks Maccabi Haifa’s first major off-season acquisition coming off of a Cinderella-like season this past year, earning an appearance in both the State Cup Finals and League Championship game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Maccabi Haifa will be holding their second annual U.S. tryout on July 28th and 29th at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Coach Avi Ashkenazi and assistants Elad Hasin and Mickey Gorke will run the tryouts in search of talent for both Maccabi Haifa as well as the Second Division team Hapoel Kiryat Tivon.
Source: www.mhbasket.co.il
