Israel-bound Mensah-Bonsu to jump start Hapoel's Euro campaign?
Great Britain muscle Pops Mensah-Bonsu hopes to resurrect injury-prone label, lead Hapoel Jerusalem to high EuroCup ranks.
Great Britain power-forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu addressed the Israeli media this morning upon his arrival in the Holy Land to join forces with local power-club Hapoel Jerusalem.
"I jumped at the opportunity to play for Hapoel Jerusalem, and I'm very appreciative of the opportunity," said Mensah-Bonsu.
"The team is obviously doing well in the Israeli League (7-0) but wants to be successful in Europe (1-5), so our main focus is to build chemistry and win an important game next week in Russia," he added.
Mensah-Bonsu signed during the off-season with Greek muscle Olympiacos but had his contract terminated after failing his physical. He then penned a camp deal with the Denver Nuggets but left shortly after. Now, he's in Israel.
The 31-year-old veteran journeyman averaged 8.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game through 37 Turkish League showings for Galatasaray last season. During the Turks' Euroleague campaign the 6-foot-9 Mensah-Bonsu returned to Israel to face Maccabi Tel Aviv – a club he signed with and was waived by in 2012 once his medical results revealed he's still injury-prone.
The new Jerusalem recruit registered 9.5 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the field, along with 4.5 rebounds per over a pair of losses to the reigning Euroleague champions.
"I can’t blame the (Maccabi) doctors for what they saw in the physical. That's their job. Fact is, the issues I've had with my injuries is something that's been with me since I was 18-year-old," the GB big man explained, adding, "It's something I was born with. Anybody who has seen me play knows that injuries aren’t something that have slowed me down."
Asked what he brings to Israel's No. 1 seed Mensah-Bonsu said, "I was told to do what I do best, which is defend, rebound the ball, and bring toughness."
Throughout his career Mensah-Bonsu appeared in the NBA, Italy, Spain, Russia, France, and Turkey.
Article written by David Pick
"I jumped at the opportunity to play for Hapoel Jerusalem, and I'm very appreciative of the opportunity," said Mensah-Bonsu.
"The team is obviously doing well in the Israeli League (7-0) but wants to be successful in Europe (1-5), so our main focus is to build chemistry and win an important game next week in Russia," he added.
Mensah-Bonsu signed during the off-season with Greek muscle Olympiacos but had his contract terminated after failing his physical. He then penned a camp deal with the Denver Nuggets but left shortly after. Now, he's in Israel.
The 31-year-old veteran journeyman averaged 8.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game through 37 Turkish League showings for Galatasaray last season. During the Turks' Euroleague campaign the 6-foot-9 Mensah-Bonsu returned to Israel to face Maccabi Tel Aviv – a club he signed with and was waived by in 2012 once his medical results revealed he's still injury-prone.
The new Jerusalem recruit registered 9.5 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the field, along with 4.5 rebounds per over a pair of losses to the reigning Euroleague champions.
"I can’t blame the (Maccabi) doctors for what they saw in the physical. That's their job. Fact is, the issues I've had with my injuries is something that's been with me since I was 18-year-old," the GB big man explained, adding, "It's something I was born with. Anybody who has seen me play knows that injuries aren’t something that have slowed me down."
Asked what he brings to Israel's No. 1 seed Mensah-Bonsu said, "I was told to do what I do best, which is defend, rebound the ball, and bring toughness."
Throughout his career Mensah-Bonsu appeared in the NBA, Italy, Spain, Russia, France, and Turkey.
Article written by David Pick
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