Scottie Wilbekin uses free days to come to Maccabi game: 'It was a surprise' / News - Basketnews.com

In a move that surprised everyone and no one at the same time, Scottie Wilbekin came to see Maccabi fight for the Winner Cup title yesterday. People close to the event told the story about it.

Credit: Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Credit Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv battled for the Winner Cup trophy last evening. Usually, the derby is special in and by itself. However, it had a special guest this time.

2-pointers this season

52%22,0Points made:22,0Accuracy:52,4%Place in standings:3Record max:26Record min:17Most made 2FGs:Roman SorkinTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Former Maccabi star Scottie Wilbekin, who now plays for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, visited the arena in Hadera to support the club where he spent the previous four years.

"As soon as Scottie posted that story on IG that he was in Israel, I thought that he was coming to see the derby against Hapoel. So at that point, it wasn't a surprise to see him in the stands," Arale Weisberg, the head of the basketball department at Walla Sport, told BasketNews.

"It was a surprise, though, to see him taking advantage of the two days off that he got in Fenerbahce to come here and watch the game," the journalist said. "It's a short flight from Istanbul to Tel Aviv but we're not used to seeing a lot of American players doing something like that, so it was nice."

Wilbekin was seen visiting his favorite restaurant in Tel Aviv, and later talking and taking pictures with fans who still love him from his days with Maccabi.

"A lot of American players like to play in Israel, they often say that Tel Aviv is like a small New York, most of the people speak English, and everything is within reach. During his time here in Tel Aviv, Scottie became a big fan of Israel. I remember that he even showed support for the country when there were missile strikes from Gaza, posting the Israeli flag," Weisberg explained. "It was not that surprising seeing him taking the time to come back and watch the game but at the same time, it's not that usual either."

Wilbekin is known to have a bond with Tel Aviv. Last season, he publicly displayed his love for the country with messages on and off the court. As the years with Maccabi continued. the guard had begun immersing himself into the culture more and more.

A source close to the club admitted that seeing Scottie in the stands with the team's fans even though he's part of another team was something spectacular.

"It was special to see Scottie coming to the game and showing that kind of support to the team and the fans. He was in the stands and he took time to talk with the fans, taking pictures with them," the source said. "Even if he left the club, he still loves the country and the team. His whole family has a special connection with Israel. I think that what we saw during the weekend, speaks highly of what kind of person Scottie is."

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