Jerusalem’s new basketball roster impresses as Lofton Jr. lives up to the hype

Forget the 88-68 victory over an undermanned Bnei Herzliya team. What stood out was the way Jerusalem played, moved the ball, and executed its game plan. The players understood their roles and carried them out, with little room for mistakes under top-level coach Sasa Obradovic.

Leading the way was Kenny Lofton Jr., who is already living up to the hype and could prove to be one of the biggest steals of the season in Israel. The former NBA big man, who also starred in China’s CBA, looks like exactly what Jerusalem needed.

Obradovic has even gone as far as to call Lofton potentially the most talented player he has ever coached at the position – quite an endorsement from a coach with an illustrious career.

Against Herzliya, Lofton had 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while also showing off his ball-handling skills by bringing the ball up the court and helping facilitate the offense. At just 24, he already looks like an all-around star who could develop into a superstar in the Holy City.

His résumé in China certainly supports the excitement. Lofton has won a CBA championship and Cup, earned league MVP honors, and been selected as an All-Star. He is now showing why, impacting games in virtually every facet.

Ambitious roster includes great players beyond Lofton 

And Lofton is only one piece of an ambitious roster that includes Shake Milton, Daevonte Cacok, Jaleen Smith, David Roddy and Lorenzo Brown.

Then there is Jared Harper, the two-time reigning EuroCup MVP and Israeli League MVP. Harper is expected to miss several months after suffering a right thumb injury, with a return anticipated in early 2027. Watching from the sidelines against Herzliya, he got a glimpse of what Jerusalem’s offense could look like when he returns.

With Lofton creating in so many ways and the ball moving so fluidly, the combination could be devastating. Harper’s return would give Obradovic another elite offensive weapon and add yet another dimension to an already talented roster.

Owner Matan Adelson has provided the financial backing for the club’s Euroleague ambitions, and management has assembled a team capable of competing for major honors. Now, however, the focus shifts from potential to results.

Still, Jerusalem will enter the game with considerably greater expectations.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv suffer Euroleague defeats

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv have already suffered Euroleague defeats, and Jerusalem will be determined to avoid a similar early setback. Obradovic will make sure his players understand that a road game in Europe can never be taken lightly.

The Reds have invested heavily in this roster. Lofton, Milton, Smith and Roddy were brought in to complement Harper and give Jerusalem significantly more depth and star power.

The expectations are enormous, but so is the opportunity.

Jerusalem has assembled the talent, hired an experienced coach, and made its Euroleague ambitions clear. Now it must turn that potential into results.