1) Hapoel Tel Aviv welcomes Charleroi to the Drive In for their FIBA Champions League qualifying game on Friday at 15:30 Israel time. Head Coach Danny Franco spoke about the club returning to Europe, “We are all very excited. The club has done some wonderful things in Europe in the past and I’m happy we’re back. But our preparation was optimal and its still just the start of the season and we aren’t yet in best shape. One advantage will be the fact that we will have our home crowd. They may not win the games for us but it helps us out to give it out all.”

Nes Ziona enters FIBA Europe League qualification when they host Södertälje tomorrow at 16:00. This will be the first time the cub will be playing in a European competition.

2) The Sports Rabbi welcomed Travis Warech who’s playing with Hapoel Beer Sheva this season after spending last campaign at Maccabi Ashdod and coach Brad Greenberg. Sal Interdonato from the Times Herald Record comes on board to tell us about Maccabi Tel Aviv guard Kendrick Ray while I also welcome Dakota Schmidt who is the lead writer for SB Nation’s The Ridiculous Upside which focuses on the G-League to talk about DeQuan Jones who’ll be playing with Hapoel Holon and Jordan Loyd who was with Hapoel Eilat last season and is now heading to the Toronto Raptors on a two way contract.

3) Hapoel Jerusalem headed to Crete for a preseason tournament that will feature Olympiacos, Head Coach Oded Katash spoke about the importance of the competition, “This is a high level tournament. The FIBA window hurt our preparations for the new season a bit so we will have to begin to close the gap and get everyone together on the same page as many players were either injured or with the national team. I want to begin to put together the right lineups and test ourselves against some of the top teams.”

Olympiacos Head Coach David Blatt told the club’s official website about the opportunity to face his son Tamir who is the starting guard for Jerusalem, “It’s a very special moment for me and its pretty emotional. I’ve watched Tamir grow and progress. It’s the first time in my career that it’s going to happen. I have dreamed about it and now it’s a real.”

4) Hapoel Gilboa/Galil held their season opening press conference as Head Coach Ariel Beit Halachmi spoke about the upcoming campaign, “I feel like I’m part of Gilboa. Just like in past seasons our philosophy is to go with young and hungry players. We were able to keep a number of quality Israeli players and I’m happy that they are continuing with us for the upcoming campaign.”

Quick Hits – F/C David Weaver signs with Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion…Center Dallis Joyner joins Hapoel Tel Aviv for FIBA Champions League games…Forward Greg Whittington signs with Hapoel Gilboa/Galil…Nitzan Hanochi has been named captain of Bnei Herzliya…