Dmytro Skapintsev has officially signed with Israeli basketball club "Hapoel Jerusalem," leaving the Portland Trail Blazers organization after spending most of his NBA career in developmental leagues.
"We're extremely pleased with this acquisition and believe Skapintsev will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals this season," – the Israeli club stated upon announcing the deal.
The 27-year-old Ukrainian center was formally introduced on the club's official website, marking a significant career shift after his time in North America. Skapintsev joined the NBA system in 2022 but found limited opportunities at the highest level, instead honing his skills primarily in the G-League.
Last season, the big man played for "Rip City Remix," the Trail Blazers' farm team, where he posted solid numbers – averaging 10.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Not bad for a developmental prospect.
Interestingly, Skapintsev's move comes at a difficult time for Ukrainian basketball. He won't be available to help the national team during their World Cup pre-qualification campaign. Ukraine already suffered a narrow defeat in their opening match, falling to Switzerland 64:66.
Will the Israeli league provide Skapintsev the platform to showcase his talents that the NBA couldn't? Only time will tell, but "Hapoel Jerusalem" certainly believes they've secured a valuable addition to their roster.
