The addition of Noam Dovrat to Hapoel Jerusalem is without a doubt the transfer of the season, and one of the most notable deals in the industry in recent years.
On the other hand, the significant step to a career comes precisely in a weak season so far.
Despite his young age (19), Dovrat is a "veteran" senior player in his fourth season, but whoever is considered the great hope of Israeli basketball has encountered a brake this season.
His and Jerusalem's hope is that this stopper will be released now, after making his Clasico debut against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Noam Dovrat's professional crisis, which includes a drastic drop in all parameters, has not only bothered his former team, Maccabi Rishon LeZion. Dovrat is closely monitored by NBA scouts and a candidate to be drafted in two years, so many professionals from the best league in the world have tried. Find out what's happening to him this season, and his alarming ability in the first round has raised quite a few questions on their part.
After Danny Abdia and Yam Madar, a speaker has been marked as the next thing, and it is no wonder that he is considered an NBA potential, thanks to his unique talent, body dimensions and high intelligence, as well as his vast experience despite his young age.
He made his Premier League debut at the age of 16 and 8 months, and has since been called up to the national team.
But a spokeswoman has dropped sharply in numbers this season.
In the first nine rounds, he did not score a single basket for two points, and he was not called up to the squad - which is coached by Guy Goodes.
We will not drop the failure of Maccabi Rishon LeZion on his young shoulders, but he has a part in the situation. On the other hand, it also works the other way around - the team's situation certainly did not help him.
Either way, the expectations of both sides were completely different.
In the summer, Rishon LeZion refused a huge offer of two million shekels from Hapoel Jerusalem for him, and everything was ready for the season when Dovrat would take over the team and lead it. But in practice the exact opposite happened. The young star withdrew and lost confidence. His season.
Maybe a sign to come.
Goods: "Mental Crossroads"
Guy Goodes, who threw the spokeswoman into the deep water in the seniors, is the address to figure out what the quarterback is going through this season.
"The injury (at the elbow) at the end of last season was very significant. On the other hand, it is wise to know how to recover from injuries," Goodes explains.
"It took him a long time to come back from the injury, and that's in its infancy. Because of the fear of touch he hardly penetrated the paint. There is no doubt that injury is a certain trauma, but as a young guy his mission is to produce mental resilience."
But the injury is of course not the only cause.
"The team's situation did not help him. Last season he flourished alongside Jeremy Fargo, who took him under his wing, gave him confidence and was a kind of mentor. Together with the experienced Daryl Monroe, Fargo led the team, and Noam was comfortable moving forward with them."
Speaks at the premiere in the arena.
"Even if it takes him time - he will get out of it," Photo: Alan Shiver
So what happened this season that caused a dramatic change in his ability?
"This season he was expected to lead, so we did not bring a stranger into his role. Because of his fitness we had to make changes and recalculate a route. The scouts who follow him ask what happened to him this season. But Noam must overcome it alone and be tough. It is an initial test of his career, kind of A mental crossroads, and I believe that even if it takes him time - he will get out of it.
"On the other hand, one of the scouts told me that because of his high intelligence he may be thinking too much and analyzing situations. Sometimes in situations like this it is better not to think too much and just do."
Jerusalem, for its part, should not be worried about what a spokeswoman has been through so far.
His signing indicates first and foremost the future importance of the Israelis in the group, and professionally it is a long-term strategic move (a three-and-a-half year contract).
That is, in the capital they are not building on him now to lead or change the team, and will allow him to return to himself at a controlled pace.
Of course no one will object to a significant contribution already this season.
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