Hapoel Tel Aviv and Valencia begin their EuroCup semifinal best-of-3 series on Tuesday night (21:30 Israel time) as both sides will be looking to advance to the finals of the competition for a chance to punch their ticket to the Euroleague for the 2025-26 season.

This series will no doubt be a blockbuster with stars a plenty on both teams whose goal is to find a way to the continent’s top league. With that, there will be some interesting matchups that will be a delight for the fans and will unquestionably provide for some top level play with plenty of battles that could make this series one for the history books.

One player to keep a good eye on is Semi Ojeleye. The Valencia forward is in his second season with the club and has taken yet another step in his career that saw him play in the NBA with the Boston Celtics along with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers before having headed overseas. Following a season with Bologna, it was off to Spain where he spent last campaign playing with Valencia in the Euroleague and now looks to help his team make the move back up to the top division.

Just ahead of the clash, The Sports Rabbi spoke to Ojeleye about his time with Valencia to date, the challenge at hand as well as to how excited he is for the opportunity to ply his trade at the highest of levels.

“It’s going to be great. We have a good team and it will be a good time. The fans are great and just bring the energy when we need it when there will be ups and downs. Having them behind you when you’re playing at home is a boost and gives you a home court advantage. If we play fast and aggressive like we have been doing all year, then we have a great chance to win.”

Hapoel has a lot of talented players at all positions, which will make it difficult to match up with them, however, Ojeleye is looking forward to the challenge at hand that will see him play the likes of Ish Wainright, Tomer Ginat and Marcus Foster just to name a few.

“The way we play and you’ve seen that all year long, that no matter who is playing it doesn’t really matter we should be fine. I think for us we try to read the play and when you play at this at this level, making adjustments on the fly is key. I’ll see where the team is, I’ll attack at my opportunities and not get stuck on just one thing.”

Reds Head Coach Dimitrios Itoudis has said multiple times that Valencia is a clear favorite and the 30-year old Overland, Kansas native understands why the 2x Euroleague championship coach would make sure to express that thought.

“He doesn’t want to poke the bear, boost your opponent up and not give more fuel to the fire. We know we are good but we can lose a game as well. But no matter what, you have to beat your opponent.”

Games 1 and 3 will be at Valencia’s home arena La Fonteta while game two will be played in Samokov, Bulgaria which will be an entirely different experience.

“I don’t know if having home court advantage will decide the series, but any chance not to travel and you can play at home it’s always an advantage. You think you will be in your zone and we have to play that way. As for the second game, I haven’t even considered it yet. I played during COVID with no fans and I’ve been in Tel Aviv and Serbia and it’s crazy at La Fonteta. But whether we are playing at home or on the road the key is to focus on the job and not let the fans be a factor.”

Pedro Martinez, one of Spain’s all-time great coaches returned to Valencia this season with the goal of taking the team back to the Euroleague and with his experience on the sidelines that will be without question be a huge factor in this game as it has been for the entire campaign, Ojeleye explained.

“We have been consistent in practice and preparation all season long. We have stuck to the game plan and stuck with it and because we have that in order, we have been able to maintain our level which will be important to play in a competition like the Euroleague whose season is even more punishing than the EuroCup.”

This is Ojeleye’s second season with Valencia and that has helped him be able to turn his play up a notch and focus on the task at hand, “For me it’s day to day life. I’ve learned to speak Spanish and I’m comfortable with the city. Day to day things whether it’s going to the gym or the local store becomes simple and this allows me to focus on basketball.”

Ojeleye who played for both Duke and SMU during college went on to be a second round pick for the Boston Celtics as he was selected 37th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. The 30-year old was able to play over 300 games in the NBA including 38 in the postseason with the Boston Celtics which gave him invaluable experience.

“For me, as soon as I put on the Celtics jersey I knew there was a legacy and had I had to live up to that. This taught me how to be a pro and how to represent every jersey that I would put on along with understanding the great players that came before you and to pay homage to them and their history.”

The series will probably be decided on the small details, the extra rebound as well as hustle, but Ojeleye also pointed out another factor that can make the difference, “For us details are important, but really whatever team will respond and react. Both sides have great players and punches will be thrown which can set the stage with momentum and from that it could set the stage as to who will win the series.”