Hapoel Jerusalem B.C.
Professional basketball club based in Jerusalem, Israel.
Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club, known for sponsorship reasons as Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem, is a professional basketball club based in Jerusalem, Israel. It competes in the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the EuroCup, and has won multiple titles including the ULEB Cup (now EuroCup) in 2004, the Israeli Premier League championship in 2015 and 2017, and seven state Cups. Founded in 1935 and incorporated in 1943, the club has undergone significant changes in ownership and facilities, moving to the Pais Arena in 2014.
- founded
- 1935 (incorporated 1943)
- first_premier_league_appearance
- 1955
- home_arena
- Pais Arena (since 2014)
- major_titles
- ULEB Cup (2004), Israeli Premier League (2015, 2017), 7 State Cups
- current_owner
- Matan Adelson (90% stake as of June 2023)
Lore & Background
Hapoel Jerusalem was founded in 1935 and incorporated in 1943, making its first appearance in the Israeli Basketball Premier League in 1955. The club played in the first division for most of the 1950s and 1960s, with notable players such as David Kaminsky. The following two decades saw the team toggle between the first and second divisions until 1986, when coach Simi Riger led the team back to the Premier League after five consecutive years in the second division. Since then, Hapoel Jerusalem has remained in the Premier League. In 1996 and 1997, the team won the Israeli Basketball State Cup, defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv in the finals at the Yad Eliyahu Arena, led by Adi Gordon.
Reader's Guide
Hapoel Jerusalem's significance lies in its long history as a major force in Israeli basketball and its rivalry with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The club won its first European title, the ULEB Cup, in 2004, defeating Real Madrid in the final. After a period of ownership changes, including Arcadi Gaydamak in 2005 and Guma Aguiar in 2009, a new ownership group headed by Ori Allon took over in 2013, leading to remarkable advancement. The team moved to the Pais Arena in 2014, a venue built to EuroLeague standards. Under this ownership, Hapoel Jerusalem won its first Israeli Premier League championship in 2015, followed by a second in 2017. In 2023, Matan Adelson purchased a 90% stake, aiming to expand the brand internationally and enter the Euroleague. The club's fan organization, Brigade Malcha, is consulted on instrumental decisions, and the team played its first game against an NBA team in August 2025, losing to the Brooklyn Nets.
Did You Know?
- Hapoel Jerusalem won the ULEB Cup (EuroCup) in 2004, defeating Real Madrid in the final in Charleroi, Belgium.
- In 2008, Hapoel Jerusalem came back from being 22 points down in the 4th quarter to win its fourth State Cup, beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 93–89.
- Amar'e Stoudemire signed a two-year contract with Hapoel Jerusalem on August 1, 2016, and helped the team win the Israeli Basketball League Cup in his first season.
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