David Roddy touched down at Ben Gurion Airport in the middle of the night between Sunday and Monday, the latest piece of Hapoel Jerusalem's rebuilt roster to arrive in the country ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 25-year-old American forward, who spent four seasons bouncing between six different NBA franchises, is starting an entirely new chapter: his first taste of European basketball. He follows fellow American Jared Harper, who landed in Israel earlier in the buildup to the new campaign.
"It will take time to adjust to playing outside the US," Roddy admitted on arrival, according to ONE. But he was quick to frame the move in ambitious terms, adding: "The main goal for us is to win the Eurocup and qualify for the Euroleague."
He described himself as a do-it-all competitor, telling reporters he can pass, rebound, shoot and defend, and that he is ready to do whatever coach Sasa Obradovic and the team need to win games.
Roddy, listed at 1.96m, was the 23rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, selected by Philadelphia before being dealt to Memphis on draft night. Over four NBA seasons he appeared in roughly 180 games across the Grizzlies, Suns, Hawks, Rockets and other stops, averaging 6.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, according to Hapoel Jerusalem's official announcement. He also logged time in the G League, averaging 14.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 53 games there.
He played his college basketball at Colorado State before entering the draft.
The deal with Jerusalem, reported by Sport1 to be worth roughly a million dollars for the season, was finalized during NBA Summer League action in Las Vegas and makes Roddy the fourth import signed under Obradovic this off-season.
"I'm excited to join Hapoel Jerusalem and open this new chapter," Roddy said in the club's official announcement of the signing. "I've heard so many great things about the club and the fans. The conversations with coach Sasha Obradovic made me feel this is the right place. I'm coming to work hard and do everything needed to help the team win."
Obradovic, who took over in Jerusalem after a long European coaching career that included AS Monaco, Crvena Zvezda and Alba Berlin, welcomed the addition: "We're very happy David is joining the Hapoel family. He's an experienced, versatile, physical player who can impact the game in multiple ways. He brings toughness, energy and competitive mentality — exactly what we want."
With Roddy now on the ground, Hapoel Jerusalem's foreign contingent for the new season is taking shape as the club builds toward a Eurocup campaign under its new coaching staff.
