“It was a goal to play in the Euroleague” Levi Randolph and Will Rayman excited to get going with Maccabi Tel Aviv

Aug 27, 2024 | Holyland Hoops

Maccabi Tel Aviv players continued to land at Ben Gurion airport as both Levi Randolph and Will Rayman both arrived from the United States via Athens, Greece after a short layover.

Randolph moves to the yellow-and-blue after two seasons with Hapoel Jerusalem where he served as the captain and helped lead the reds to a State Cup title win over his new club just this past season. Rayman inked a deal with Maccabi prior to last season after having featured for Hapoel Haifa as the club loaned out the naturalized Israeli to Saint Quentin of the French LNB League who is now making his return to the Holy Land.

Levi Randolph – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


For Randolph, who will turn 32 years old on opening day, playing in the Euroleague and at the highest of levels was a goal of his as he moved up the ladder throughout Europe with a stop in the G-League and Australia along the way after having attended the University of Alabama.

“It feels good to join Maccabi Tel Aviv. It was a goal of mine since I came back to Europe a few years ago to make the Euroleague, I appreciate the opportunity and don’t take it for granted. I look forward to play basketball at the highest levels, I played against them a lot of times since I’ve been here in Israel so it feels good to be back in Israel, to be here with everyone and just to be part of this organization.

Levi Randolph – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


As he travelled from America, Randolph posted various videos on social media in order to give his followers a taste of his journey back to Israel and what was waiting for him, “I tried to document it for everyone to see, it was kind of hectic with the airplane and travel getting to here from Chicago to Athens and I had a long way to here. But now I’m here, so I’m happy to be here, ready to get started, looking forward to the journey, the opportunity and the challenge.”

Trading in the red jersey of Hapoel Jerusalem for Maccabi’s yellow-and-blue is no easy feat without a question and raised a lot of emotions from both fanbases, but all in all, it’s still basketball, however, it’s never easy when a player moves from one of the contenders to another.

Levi Randolph – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


“It’s different. Being here playing with Jerusalem you feel the rivalry and the intensity of the fans, the people and the games. But it’s Israel, so I’m happy to be back in Israel and to be able to play in front of everyone that I’ve played in front of in the last two years. I’m looking forward to that part, playing at the highest levels and being able to play in front of all of the familiar faces that I’ve seen already, coming here, seeing you guys, I’ve seen you for the last two years. It feels good and like home, so I’m happy to be here and ready to play for Maccabi.”
 
Will Rayman will come to Maccabi a more experienced player after having been in France in a league that is known to be a high level competition with plenty of quality teams which without question will help him as he now continues his career in the Euroleague. The Colgate product will be a valuable addition to the squad as he will count as an Israeli for domestic play and not count against the foreigner cap.

Will Rayman – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


“France was a great experience. Shout out for Saint Quentin for having me for the year, it’s a very physical and smart league so I feel like I’m ready to use what I learned in the last year, come back in Israel and help Maccabi win some games. I’m excited and it’s a new experience. I’m just excited to learn from the older guys on the team and be in the gym, work everyday and just trying to help the team win and get myself better.”

The 27-year old couldn’t have written a better script when he landed in Israel and joined Hapoel Haifa a few years ago after having featured in Europe for a few seasons. To make it to Maccabi now was a real dream that turned into a reality for the forward, “For sure. You come to Israel and then you hear Maccabi Tel Aviv, so it’s my dream to play here and I’m excited for the opportunity. Yalla Maccabi!”

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