After the Injury of Jovanius Smith: Hapoel Haifa Signs New Recruit
Quick Response to Injury
Hapoel Haifa has acted swiftly in response to the injury of Jovanius Smith by signing center Kevin Allen, effective immediately. The 31-year-old player, who stands 2.11 meters tall, joins the team from the Caledonia Gladiators in the British Super League, where he averaged 18 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, ranking as the league’s second-leading scorer.
Context of the Signing
Smith was initially brought in as a temporary replacement for the injured Wesley Harris but sustained an Achilles injury during practstart yesterday, which will sideline him for approximately eight weeks. This unfortunate turn of events has effectively concluded Smith’s tenure with Hapoel Haifa.
The club wasted no time in securing Allen as his replacement. Allen has previously played in Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay, Spain, and Romania, showcasing a wealth of international experience.
Operational Efforts to Integrate Allen
Hapoel Haifa is making every effort to register Allen in time for their upcoming match against Tzfat. He is currently en route to Israel and is expected to join the team’s training session tomorrow. The signing was conducted in full collaboration with Daniel Hazan, despite recent rumors of tensions between him and the team’s management.
Coach’s Statement
Ruben Neiburger, the head coach of Hapoel Haifa, expressed optimism regarding the new acquisition. “Following the unfortunate incident with Joe Smith, we decided to act promptly and found a player who was available and fits our needs. We are pleased to welcome him and hope he can quickly adapt to the team and assist us in achieving our goals and objectives,” he stated. Neiburger noted that Allen is a skilled big man with strong abilities in the paint, good passing skills, and scoring capabilities. “Additionally, he performs well on both ends of the board,” he added.
As Hapoel Haifa prepares for their next game, the integration of Kevin Allen could provide a much-needed boost to their roster.