Hapoel HaEmek welcomed a pair of players to Israel on Sunday afternoon as Lucas Goldenberg and Cameron Henry arrived for the upcoming 2025/26 season. Goldenberg has played in Israel’s top division with Hapoel Afula (10p/5.9r/2.8a) and Hapoel Galil Elyon the past two years as the naturalized Israeli will now join Sharon Avrahami’s squad for the new campaign.

Henry played the past two years in Germany’s G Pro A League after having attended Indiana State and Lincoln Memorial. The 26-year old guard averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 44.3% (81/183) from beyond the arc and will now look to take a step up in Israel top league.

“I’m really looking forward to this challenge in my career and to come back to Israel. I want to do the best I can to help the team,” Goldenberg told The Sports Rabbi just after landing.

As for goals, Goldenberg spoke about what he expects both personal and as a team, “As always, I want to try and help the team and try to do the best job that I can. I think as a team we need to go step by step. We made some good signings and we always have to be around 6th to 8th place, but the smartest thing to do is not to rush, go step by step and that way we can achieve our goals.”

The forward, who had played for Afula knows the district well, “I’m very happy to be here as I know the area. I am thankful that Hapoel HaEmek showed a lot of interest in me, including coach Sharon Avrahami, so I am very happy about that. When you feel the team wants you and are appreciated, that is very important and I don’t take that for granted at this point in my career.”

“I am excited to be here,” Cameron Henry said to The Sports Rabbi as he arrived in Israel. “I spent two years in Germany so this is a nice change and we have a nice staff. This should be a good team and a good year.”

Henry added about what he sees as the team goals for new campaign, ”Just have the best team chemistry on and off the court and hopefully get the most wins.”