After a disappointing season for her, which ended without a title, in Maccabi Tel last summer they thought, and went about dismantling and reassembling. Along with the signing of a new coach in the form of Oded Ketch, all the foreigners without exception left, and a battery of new and shiny foreigners landed in the hands of Eliyahu.
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In recent years, the yellow club has gone for experienced foreigners alongside relatively young and lesser-known foreigners, but also those who may make the jump in the future such as Chris Jones and Keenan Evans - and this summer the yellows decided to go for the known and the well-known, with the signing of six experienced foreigners with Euroleague experience proven.
But in one position, Maccabi went in a different, exceptional direction, and decided to bet on position number 4, the one that has traditionally caused problems for the Yellows in recent years, the one they haven't been able to hit for several seasons.
This time Eliyahu handed their gold to the American forward Jarl Martin, in a move that carries the risk of a flare-up and enormous offensive firepower, but also a complete lack of experience in Europe and the EuroLeague.
If for fans of European basketball the image of Martin, who has not yet played in Europe, is an enigma - for Dan Shamir, who coached against him for about two years in the Australian league, his image is not an enigma, but a distinct exclamation point, from which the Yellows are going to benefit.
"Gerrell is a player who was selected 25th in the NBA draft, played at the prestigious University of Louisiana and spent two years in Sydney for big money. He himself symbolizes the success of the Australian league in attracting intriguing names for big money. In my opinion, he is not an enigma."
Martin (in purple) in a Sydney uniform.
Ready for the biggest challenge in his career, photo: Getty Images
Shamir is not worried about Martin's lack of experience in Europe: "The Australian league has changed, and so has the style of play. Being a rookie in the Euroleague is not easy, but he is a very high-level player, and he fits Maccabi. Last year he scored at a very high percentage from outside, which allows him to play in -4. He has a big and massive body, which allows him to guard players in Europe in both interior positions - so I'm not worried. He comes from a big club in Sydney, he totally belongs to the class."
Shamir reveals that before the player signed with Maccabi, someone approached him to hear his opinion on the move.
"They contacted me from Maccabi to hear my opinion, and I told them straight away that I'm sure he fits, he's bingo. A good player in Australia can certainly do it in Europe as well."
"a quiet and introverted man"
On the question of whether Martin can break through at Maccabi, Shamir says: "You have to understand that every foreigner that Maccabi brings in is a senior player, there is no secondary player. You are expected to produce, and you have to produce it. A player of his level can easily play again in the NBA, it's all a matter of situation. Many people We are sure that he is material for the NBA, he is a player who can contribute where needed."
Maccabi were aware of the problems that might arise in integrating a player who had not yet played in Europe with the style of play and life in Israel and in Europe, and made sure from the first moment to make the process of absorption and acclimatization in Israel easier for him, and allowed him to come and live in Israel with his partner and their toddler son.
"Jarrell is a quiet and introverted person. Despite his size, he is very quiet and kind. He spends many hours in the bosom of his family, and keeps a low profile off the field. Jarrell is aware of the question marks around him and is hungry to prove himself," said the club.
Martin testified himself: "I'm an introvert and in my spare time I'm an amateur fisherman. I'll prove to everyone that I can compete at the highest levels.
Many said it would be difficult for me in the Euroleague - but I'm ready.
I come to do whatever the coach asks me to do.
I can score, and I know they also want me to make a contribution in defense," Martin said upon landing in Israel.
The American forward arrives in Israel at the age of 28, ever hungry and ready to succeed for the first time in his career in the Euroleague.
He is aware of concerns about his lack of experience, due to being the only player in the squad who has not yet played in Europe, and sounds more ready than ever for the challenge.
For Martin, tonight's meeting against Promitas will be another step in the series of preparatory games for European basketball, when in 3 days Milan, the Italian luxury team with Shamir on the professional staff, will be waiting for him.
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