Hapoel Jerusalem dipped into their past to solidify their present with an eye towards the future by signing point guard EJ Rowland for the balance of the 2021/22 season. Rowland, now 38 years old, was a key member of the Reds during the 2015/16 campaign that saw the club make it all the way to the Israeli League final before falling in the Championship game to Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion.

Since that season, Rowland made stops in Russia, Turkey, Spain and most recently in Iran before arriving back in Israel in March where he worked out with the team and helped his former teammate and now head coach Yotam Halperin by participating in the team’s mini-training camp up at Kfar Blum in the Galilee.

However, with Jerusalem being hit with some minor injuries and the fact that Rowland could be a true veteran presence for some of the club’s guards in Retin Obasohan and the up and coming Noam Dovrat, it was a no-brainer to add Rowland to the active roster after he had been such a positive being around the team.

In Jerusalem’s impressive 76-69 win over Hapoel Holon which not only kept the club in first place and moved their home record to 13-1, Rowland stepped onto the floor in the familiar white and red uniform and scored 4 points in eight solid minutes of play in the victory. The California native was more than happy to get back on the court in front of the some very recognizable faces.

“It feels good,” Rowland began following the game. “The energy is still really good here, I love the arena and the atmosphere, it’s nice to be recognized by fans here and I was happy to be back out there. I’m driving around Jerusalem and it’s familiar feelings. Some of the restaurants I went to are still here, some of the people I remember from last time which is amazing, so it’s been cool.

Welcome back to Israel, @Euro_E_Row. The veteran had a victorious comeback to @JerusalemBasket's uniform tonight

🏀Watch all the games LIVE & VOD on https://t.co/wvq3xNh6wb📺 pic.twitter.com/YXXsQ5K097

— Winner League (@WinnerLeague) April 24, 2022

Before Rowland had joined Jerusalem back in the 15/16 season which ironically was the last time the team set a 13-1 home winning mark, he had already logged a decade of professional play in a number of countries including Australia, Germany, Italy and Latvia but when he arrived in the capital city he shared a back court with Yotam Halperin who is now his coach.

“It ages me,” Rowland said with a big smile. “Once you start playing for your former teammate it shows you are getting older. Yotam is one of the calm guys and speaks only when something needs to be said. His personality is the same as a coach. When he says something you listen. The team has been good all year and my position is to provide leadership and experience, supporting the guys and whatever they need from me.”

The leadership aspect is key and has already been a major factor in Rowland’s presence around the club as he will most definitely have an impact on budding star Noam Dovrat’s development.

“Noam has a lot of potential. He is a big guard who can see the floor and can shoot over people. He needs to go through his natural progression. Because of his reputation and what was expected from him, he has to understand that just because things aren’t happening on the time that he wants it to happen, it will come if he continues to work, continue to think that bigger picture, continue not to get anxious or nervous or down for things that don’t go his way. There are good players with potential on this team. Noam, Oba (Retin Obasohan), Jalen (Adams), big John (Egbunu) who I expect to see them make a lot of money and have a lot of success in this game.”

The star of the show for Hapoel Jerusalem this season has undoubtedly been Obasohan who arrived over the summer and has become a fan favorite thanks to his unrelentless drive and play having taken the team on his shoulders time and time again. Since Rowland’s arrival back in March, it has been very common to see him talking things through with Obasohan during the game itself using his many years of experience as a sounding board for the Belgian native.

“Especially for point guards at the European level, he is coming into the age where they are expecting him to be the veteran head of the team. I feel there is experience and advice I can give him, as I would have wanted that from someone else. That is my role on the team. I have seen a lot and Oba has extreme potential. Little things that he shouldn’t get frustrated about, little things that he can look out for. He is one of those guys who asks a lot of questions and he wants to be great and take the next step. I am here for whatever he needs from me.”

There was absolutely no question that Rowland was thrilled to get a new lease on life as a professional basketball player when he stepped on the Jerusalem Arena floor against Holon, but when he found out that the decision was made that he would be activated a play he was brimming with joy.

“It’s one of those things that I couldn’t even lie and act like I wasn’t excited. Some people try to play it cool and say it’s just another game, but it’s not just another game. I had an amazing time here, I had been out a year and I wanted to go play for something it feels good to be part of a team with good character guys and great fans.”

EJ Rowland makes his Hapoel Jerusalem against Hapoel Holon this evening! Good luck @Euro_E_Row and Welcome back to @JerusalemBasket! Photo @Y_mac9 pic.twitter.com/XxIVbNjJtq

— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) April 24, 2022

Of course, the league has changed ever so slightly the last time he played for Jerusalem as he noted dome of those slight differences, “I’ve only seen a few games, so I am still adjusting to what is on the court. There are small things: they don’t have the Final Four anymore and you only need 1 Israeli on the court instead of two when I was here last. I understand the rotation and the dynamics and those are things I will get used to.”

As the regular season comes to an end and with the playoffs around the corner, there is no question that timing is everything for Rowland. With the opportunity to fight for a title with Jerusalem who find themselves in first place there is no better position to be in at this time of year.

“I am here at the time where it’s the most exciting time. Every game is a playoff atmosphere, every possession means something and I’m telling the guys to really embrace this because now that I am older, you realize that these are the things you remember. These are the stretches you remember, these are the things that can change your life and your career. I am excited to be here for all of it.”