Micic signs a lucrative three-year deal with Hapoel Tel Aviv
· EurohoopsHapoel IBI Tel Aviv will be the next team for 31-year-old Vasilije Micic
By Stavros Barbarousis and Aris Barkas/ info@eurohoops.net
Vasilije Micic officially joined Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv on Wednesday, shortly following a report by Eurohoops on a deal with the Israeli club.
“I was very impressed with the project that Hapoel is building, the ambitions and clear vision for the future,” he talked about his decision, per the press release, “I was happy to talk to coach Dimitris Itoudis, I am excited to work with him. I hope to help the team succeed and meet the high expectations.”
After drawing interest from several EuroLeague teams, including Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Beko, the 31-year-old Serbian point guard signed a three-year contract, making him one of the highest-paid players in league history.
He became a free agent after reaching an agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks on a contract buyout. Over the last two years, he played in 101 NBA games with the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Phoenix Suns, but will be back in Europe’s premier club continental competition for the next season.
A veteran of 229 games in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Micic was crowned champion of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 editions with Anadolu Efes. At the individual level, he was named Most Valuable Player of the 2020-21 season, besides also picking up Final Four MVP awards on both championship-winning season-ending tournaments. His success, stretching to one All-EuroLeague First Team nod and two in the Second Team, also earned him a spot on the All-25 EuroLeague Team.
Entering the EuroLeague as BKT EuroCup champion, the Tel Aviv outfit is expected to continue holding continental home games outside of Israel through the 2025-26 journey. Strengthening the team coached by Dimitris Itoudis during the offseason, Elijah Bryant, Tyler Ennis, Collin Malcolm, Tai Odiase, Dan Oturu, and Itay Segev have been officially signed. Antonio Blakeney, Bruno Caboclo, Tomer Ginat, Yam Madar, Johnathan Motley, Guy Palatin, Bar Timor, and Ish Wainright are also under contract.