It may be the offseason for the Israel basketball league and while there may not be any action on the court, there has been plenty of off-court activity as Hapoel Tel Aviv are in the process of retooling their roster for the 2025/26 season.

Dimitrios Itoudis’s team strengthened its front court by adding center Tai Odiase. The 29 year old, 2.06 meter big man will play in the Euroleague for the first time in his career as he comes over from the EuroCup’s Bahcesehir.

Odiase will add athleticism, spectacular dunks, defense and commitment to the Reds roster this coming season in the Premier League and Euroleague. The big man produced the highest number of points as a pick-and-roll finisher in the entire EuroCup competition and was 5th in offensive rebounds with 2.4 boards per game to go along with 35 dunks. Odiase has the ability to finish above the rim, along with great touch in the paint with floater and hook shot finishes that add variety to the possibilities as to how he can score points inside.

“We welcome Tai to our family,” Itoudis said. “His signing proves that the club has eyes and ears everywhere and that we strive to strengthen our every position. I love Tai’s passion and his commitment to the project we are building at Hapoel Tel Aviv.”

Odiase added, “I am very excited to join the club. I look forward to meeting the fans and contributing to the team in any way I can. I am looking forward to a very successful season. Yalla Hapoel.”

“Tai is a player who continues to improve from season to season throughout his career,” general manager George Hinas explained. “We followed him closely during the last season and witnessed his progress. He has proven that he is capable of competing at any level. Tai will add athleticism, determination and physicality to our team, combined with his offensive abilities. Welcome and good luck, Tai!”

Defensively, the Illinois born, Nigerian and Puerto Rican international is a great rim protector protects, goes after loose balls and adds pressure on players without the ball. Odiase has an infective spirit with energy and hustle being an integral part of his style of play.

Odiase spent his college career between 2014-2018 at UIC College (University of Illinois Chicago) and was also the team captain for his final three seasons. During his college years, he was twice selected as the Horizon League’s Division I Defensive Player of the Year and earned a place on the All-Defensive Team 3 times during his time at college.

Having played in a number of countries including Greece, Spain, Germany, Ukraine and Turkey, Odiase has built up an impressive resume which led him to sign with Hapoel following a EuroCup season in which he averaged 12.7 points and 5.2 rebounds

Hapoel also signed Israeli veteran and national team center Itay Segev who played for Nes Ziona last season. The Sabra averaged 7.9 points and 8.4 rebounds in Israeli league play as he has established himself as one of the league’s most prominent rebounders.

“I am happy, excited and proud to join Hapoel Tel Aviv,” Segev said. “Especially in a historic and significant season – the club’s inaugural season in the Euroleague. I am coming motivated and with a real desire to work hard and give my all for the team’s success. I am excited to get started as an exciting season awaits us, full of goals, challenges and dreams. Yalla Hapoel!”

Itoudis added, “We welcome Itay to the club and appreciated his passion for the game and the commitment he brings with him. We look forward to working with him and together – as a professional team and as teammates – to help him develop and further improve his abilities.”

“Itay will help us strengthen our Israeli base, thanks to his daily commitment and his personality,” Hinas began. “He plays with high intensity on both sides of the court and is at the peak of his career. Without a doubt, he is one of the best bigs in the league. We welcome him to our family and wish him much success.”