Post by Tel Aviv on Feb 13, 2016 20:01:24 GMT
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - Maccabi Tel Aviv have officially announced the signing of 6'7 forward Julius Erving. The superstar nicknamed "Dr J" agreed a 4 Year deal worth a total of $80,703,000, shortly after free agency opened. It was a free agency class with some top talent testing the waters but many expected Erving to return to the Globetrotters, after a successful season with the team which earned them the #1 seed in the America conference.
Julius Erving is now officially a member of Tel Aviv's roster
Julius Erving was quick to thank everyone at his previous team in a statement released shortly after the signing was announced, "I would like to firstly thank everyone within the Globetrotters organization, from the staff, the players and especially the great fans there. I had a great 3 years there but have decided to take another direction at this stage of my career” He then went on to discuss the next step in his ABCA Career. “I am looking forward to joining up with my new team mates in Tel Aviv and playing alongside Elgin Baylor, Ben Wallace and the rest of the guys there, I will do my best for the team," Erving said in the statement.
Erving has accomplished a lot during his time in the league since being selected with the 12th overall pick of the creation draft. He is a 3 time all star and has appeared on an ABCA All-League team 3 times. "Dr J" has scored a total of 5881 points for the Globetrotters, which is 2nd highest number of points for a single team in the league, only behind Charles Barkley with the Bulls. Erving can do a little bit of everything on both sides of the ball which is what makes his some versatile.
Maccabi general manager had this to say about the signing, "We are delighted to bring Julius Erving to the team and for him to be with us for the next 4 years as we look to build on the past 2 succesful seasons we have had. We worked hard on this deal to bring him to Tel Aviv and hope the fans are excited to watch him play for our team".
Pierluigi Marzorati has also resigned with the team
Bringing in Erving wasn't the only piece of business from Tel Aviv as they also resigned Italian point guard Pierluigi Marzorati on a 3 year contract worth $48,375,000. Marzorati has been a mainstay with the organisation since being drafted at the end of the 3rd round of the creation draft back in 2001. Bigman Ed Macauley was also brought in on a minimum contract, the 33 year old is coming of a season where he averaged 15.6ppg for Zagreb.
Elsewhere in the league big names like Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Greg Oden, Kevin Garnett and Arvydas Sabonis all returned to their old teams but there was also some other movement. Most noteably Walt Frazier signed with the Globetrotters and Antonello Riva with the Trailblazers. Arenas, Robertson, Kurtinaitis, Dampier and Kersey all signed with new teams also.
Michael Jordan will remain with the Grizzlies
Julius Erving is now officially a member of Tel Aviv's roster
Julius Erving was quick to thank everyone at his previous team in a statement released shortly after the signing was announced, "I would like to firstly thank everyone within the Globetrotters organization, from the staff, the players and especially the great fans there. I had a great 3 years there but have decided to take another direction at this stage of my career” He then went on to discuss the next step in his ABCA Career. “I am looking forward to joining up with my new team mates in Tel Aviv and playing alongside Elgin Baylor, Ben Wallace and the rest of the guys there, I will do my best for the team," Erving said in the statement.
Erving has accomplished a lot during his time in the league since being selected with the 12th overall pick of the creation draft. He is a 3 time all star and has appeared on an ABCA All-League team 3 times. "Dr J" has scored a total of 5881 points for the Globetrotters, which is 2nd highest number of points for a single team in the league, only behind Charles Barkley with the Bulls. Erving can do a little bit of everything on both sides of the ball which is what makes his some versatile.
Maccabi general manager had this to say about the signing, "We are delighted to bring Julius Erving to the team and for him to be with us for the next 4 years as we look to build on the past 2 succesful seasons we have had. We worked hard on this deal to bring him to Tel Aviv and hope the fans are excited to watch him play for our team".
Pierluigi Marzorati has also resigned with the team
Bringing in Erving wasn't the only piece of business from Tel Aviv as they also resigned Italian point guard Pierluigi Marzorati on a 3 year contract worth $48,375,000. Marzorati has been a mainstay with the organisation since being drafted at the end of the 3rd round of the creation draft back in 2001. Bigman Ed Macauley was also brought in on a minimum contract, the 33 year old is coming of a season where he averaged 15.6ppg for Zagreb.
Elsewhere in the league big names like Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Greg Oden, Kevin Garnett and Arvydas Sabonis all returned to their old teams but there was also some other movement. Most noteably Walt Frazier signed with the Globetrotters and Antonello Riva with the Trailblazers. Arenas, Robertson, Kurtinaitis, Dampier and Kersey all signed with new teams also.
Michael Jordan will remain with the Grizzlies