Hapoel Jerusalem Eyes EuroCup Semifinals From Belgrade Base After War Evacuation

Hapoel Jerusalem forward Josiah-Jordan James never imagined his rookie season overseas would include evacuating a war zone, but three weeks into the team's temporary relocation to Belgrade, "Triple J" remains focused on helping the Reds reach the EuroCup semifinals.

Hapoel Jerusalem faces Turk Telekom in Wednesday's quarterfinal showdown at Belgrade Arena, with the winner advancing to the final four of European basketball's second-tier competition. The stakes couldn't be higher for a team that has transformed adversity into motivation while chasing automatic EuroLeague qualification.

The 22-year-old American forward, who spent five years at the University of Tennessee before a stint with the Indiana Mad Ants in the G-League, has emerged as a crucial contributor during one of the most challenging periods in the franchise's history.

James vividly recalls the morning of February 28th when his rookie season took an unexpected turn. "Definitely going to sleep that night, I didn't have any inkling about anything popping off," he remembered. "I woke up to a dozen missed calls, a lot of just noise and ruckus and things going on outside my apartment."

The outbreak of war with Iran forced an immediate evacuation plan that had been prepared but never tested under such circumstances. James found himself sheltering in his apartment's safe room while team officials coordinated a mass exodus involving over 150 people from multiple Israeli basketball teams.

"We drove four hours into Egypt and then flew from there to Belgrade," James explained. "It was a crazy travel day. We had a long 24 hours, but thankfully, we had a great plan. Guys knew the plan and executed it perfectly."

Belgrade has become much more than a temporary refuge for the Reds. The Serbian capital now serves as their primary training base, allowing the team to maintain focus on their EuroCup campaign despite the upheaval. James and his teammates have attended Red Star EuroLeague games, explored local cuisine, and found stability in an uncertain situation.

"Belgrade is beautiful," James noted. "There are a lot of things that are available, a lot of things to do outside of practices and workouts. Obviously, we wish we were back home in Jerusalem, but Belgrade is a great place to be for sure."

The relocation has created unique challenges beyond the obvious emotional toll. Jerusalem's famous Arena, which typically houses over 11,000 passionate supporters, won't be available for their quarterfinal clash. The loss of home-court advantage represents a significant disadvantage for a team that feeds off crowd energy.

"When it's rocking and at full force, we don't think we're ever going to lose there," James acknowledged. "But the fact that we've played the majority of our EuroCup games here in Belgrade before, I think definitely plays a big part."

Turk Telekom presents a formidable opponent with veteran coaching and deep roster talent that will test Jerusalem's resolve. James expects a physical, grinding contest that could be decided by intangibles rather than pure skill.

"It's going to be a 40-minute dogfight, for sure," he predicted. "The team that wants to win more, makes more of the 50-50 plays, and wins the rebound battle – I think that's what it will ultimately come down to."

James credits his teammates, particularly former Michigan State guard Cassius Winston, for facilitating his adjustment to European basketball culture. The family connection runs deep, as James' father attended Michigan State and specifically encouraged the relationship.

"He's been awesome for me," James said of Winston. "My dad's like, you got to lock in with him and make sure that you use him as a big brother."

The Israeli Basketball Premier League remains on indefinite hold, leaving Jerusalem's domestic championship aspirations in limbo. The team was tied 1-1 with Maccabi Tel Aviv in last season's final when the previous war outbreak interrupted play, creating unfinished business that weighs heavily on the organization.

"Right now we are at a standstill, just waiting for the higher-ups to make a decision," James explained. "Our goal was to win three championships. We missed out on the State Cup and we have to win this game on Wednesday to keep advancing in the EuroCup."

For James, the season represents both professional growth and personal resilience testing. His initial doubts about overseas basketball quickly dissolved through teammate support and organizational excellence, creating an experience that has exceeded expectations despite extraordinary circumstances.

"I remember I woke up the first day and I'm like six hours ahead from the United States and I was like, did I make the right decision?" he recalled. "I quickly realized that I did just because of the people that I get to interact with every day."

Wednesday's quarterfinal represents more than basketball advancement for Hapoel Jerusalem. Victory would validate their resilience while providing hope during a period of unprecedented uncertainty, proving that sport can transcend even the most challenging circumstances.