Former NBA stars call off trip to Jerusalem due to Gaza operation

Team headlined by Magic Johnson cancels plans to participate in opening ceremony of new Jerusalem Arena due to security situation.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Former Lakers star Magic Johnson. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Former Lakers star Magic Johnson.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Magic Johnson and a team of former NBA stars canceled their participation in the opening ceremony of the new Jerusalem Arena due to the ongoing rocket fire and the IDF’s operation in Gaza.
The group of former players, which was set to be headlined by Magic and also include the likes of Chris Mullin, was scheduled to take part in an exhibition game against Hapoel Jerusalem as part of a special event planned to celebrate the opening of the arena on September 4. However, they notified the organizers earlier this week that due to the security situation in Israel they will not be traveling to the country.
In other news, the Israel Basketball Association announced on Wednesday that it will host Montenegro in Nicosia, Cyprus in its first EuroBasket qualifier on August 10. The IBA was ordered by FIBA Europe to move the game away from Israel due to the security situation.
The IBA asked FIBA to play the game at Madison Square Garden in New York, but was told that the contest had to take place in Europe and eventually opted to play it in Cyprus.