Hapoel Jerusalem has retooled their squad for the upcoming 2026-27 season as Head Coach Sasa Obradovic has one goal in mind which is to punch the club’s ticket to the Euroleague. In order to accomplish that goal, one of the most important players to join the club is Kenneth Lofton Jr. who won the CBA Championship last year and was named the Finals MVP.

The season before the 24-year old captured the league MVP as well. In addition to having starred in China, Lofton played for the Memphis Grizzlies as well as the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers.

After landing at Ben Gurion airport, the power forward spoke about the challenge that is in front of the team, I’m excited to come to Jerusalem for the first time. I’m just looking for the best. I’m excited to come to this club, excited to come to Israel. I’m ready to come here, and win, win championships with my team and dominate.”

There’s a different style of game in Israel that Lofton may be used to, but he is comfortable with the his game and being able to play up to his standards, “I’m confident. I’m confident in my game, 100%. I know what I bring to the table. I know what I do. We have a great team here in Jerusalem, so we’re going to make the best of it.”

Lofton was able to talk to a couple of players prior to making his decision to join the Reds, “I talked to Jared Harper a couple of times. You know, we communicated back when we were in America. He gave me a couple of pointers and I’m here now, so I’m excited to practice with him and get things going. I also spoke with David Roddy who I saw in Vegas when Jerusalem was both trying to get us to come here. We’re chopping it up. I’m excited that we’re on the same team together, so it’s going to be a great season this year.”

As for reaching the lofty goals Jerusalem has set, Lofton is excited to get started, “Yes, that’s the plan. We’re going to go in the next few weeks, prepare and take it game by game.”