Akon Purcell: "Things Just Didn't Work Out" | Israel today

Two years after failing in the Hapoel Tel Aviv uniform, the Bakan player wants to close an account with the Reds today (16:30)

• Akon Purcell in the verb, about two years ago

  Photo: 

  Oded Karni

There are quite a few professionals who are sure that Devon Akon Purcell's talent is worth far more than seven NBA games, and the reason he is not there depends in part on the instability and sharp fluctuations in ability.

An example of that instability could be found in the short time the forward was in Israel in the 2018/19 season.

In two months at Hapoel Tel Aviv, he managed to play eight league games, score four times in double digits, fall asleep halfway through the locker room (according to reports) and leave after disagreements with the management and the professional team.

Akon-Purcell made his career record in 2016-2018 at the Bakken Bears with which he twice won the Danish Championship, when in his first season he won the title of King of the Baskets, a player of the season in the league and the outstanding player of the final series.

He also led Bakken to the European Cup semi-finals and was named the league's player of the season in the fan poll and the factory's official season five, ranking second in the King of Baskets table with 18.6 points per game, alongside 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

The season before, he scored 17.3 points in the Champions League, including 23 against Nahariya.

A few weeks ago he signed for the Danish team mainly to help them qualify for the home stage of the Champions League and if he meets the task he may continue until the end of the season. 

The 27-year-old Akon-Purcell (1.98m) is not a person who speaks too much, but in a conversation with him ahead of tonight's game (16:30) against the Red Ax, you can feel that he has a small account to close.

"It's going to be a wonderful challenge for me, I'm full of motivation and I'm excited to play against them," he told Israel Today. "Our chances are high. If we play strong and right we can win. Bakken is like a second home for me and I will be happy to succeed with them and reach the Champions League. ".

Purcell.

"There is a chance I will return to Israel" // Photo: Oded Karni 

"There is a chance I will return to Israel"

Let's go back to February 2019. Why did you leave Hapoel after only two months?

"Things just didn't work out and my agent and I decided I'd better leave, so that's what I did."

What do you remember from the verb as an organization?

"(Think, YM) There is no response."

At the time it was reported in the media that in your first game you fall asleep in the locker room during the half.

Can you tell us exactly what happened there?

"I do not know what you are talking about."

Is there a chance that we will see you play in Israel in the future?

"I feel there is a chance that I will return to Israel, I love Israel and it is a nice place. I enjoyed it and if the right situation for me comes I will take it."