Basketball: Sasson leaves Mac TA for rival Hap J'lem

28-year-old hoping for turn in fortune after only scoring an average of 3.2 points in his 44 Euroleague games for Maccabi.

By ALLON SINAI
Sharon Sasson 298.88 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Sharon Sasson 298.88
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Sharon Sasson signed for Hapoel Jerusalem on Thursday, leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv after two unproductive seasons. The 28-year-old joins Jamie Arnold, who made a similar transition exactly a month ago. "I thank Maccabi Tel Aviv for the wonderful years and for the support and help," Sasson said on Thursday. "I thank them for releasing me to Hapoel Jerusalem. Israeli basketball will benefit from their decision. I'm happy and ecstatic to be joining Hapoel Jerusalem for the next two seasons." Maccabi had an option to extended Sasson's stay at the club for another season, but at the players request didn't exercise its option and let him leave for Jerusalem. "Even though Sasson is one of the most loved and appreciated players at the club we decided that the right move would be to release him," a Maccabi statement read. "Sharon got our blessing to sign for two seasons at Jerusalem and we wish him all the best." Sasson only scored an average of 3.2 points in his 44 Euroleague games for Maccabi in the last two seasons and ironically played his best game of last season against Jerusalem in the Final Four title game, scoring 11 points. "I would like to first of all wish Sharon good luck," new Maccabi coach Oded Katash said. "He contributed a lot in his two seasons at the club and I'm certain Jerusalem have acquired a great player. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to coach him. My feeling is that Sharon Sasson's love affair with Maccabi Tel Aviv is not over yet."