More Maccabi moves

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MACCABI HAIFA SIGN REIGNING MVP OF PUERTO RICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE JESSE PELLOT-ROSA

Becomes second player to be signed from U.S. Tryout

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The Maccabi Haifa professional basketball team, the Israeli Premier League runner-up last season, has signed guard Jesse Pellot-Rosa, the reigning MVP and Most Improved Player of the Puerto Rican league last season, to a one-year contract.

Pellot-Rosa, 25, averaged 23.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 29 games played last season for Los Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rico. The 6′4″ guard led his team into the playoffs, scoring 681 points with 164 free-throws during the regular season, the most by any player in the league.

“I am very happy to join the Maccabi Haifa organization,” said Pellot-Rosa, who is currently in Venezuela playing for the Puerto Rican National Team.  “I’m looking forward to going to Israel and hopefully guiding this team into the Final Four.”

Pellot-Rosa, a native of Richmond, Virginia, played his collegiate ball at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) from 2003-07.  He led his VCU Rams to a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title and a first-round upset of Duke in the NCAA tournament in 2007.

He was signed as an undrafted free-agent by the New York Jets of the National Football League (N.F.L.) as a wide receiver in 2007 due to his impressive athletic ability while playing basketball at VCU.  He was released prior to the start of the season, but has completely dedicated himself to his basketball career.

Pellot-Rosa became the second player to be signed out of the Maccabi Haifa U.S. tryout held at Nova Southeastern University in South Florida on July 28 and 29.

“To acquire someone like Jesse, who has a football mentality and doesn’t back down from anyone on the court, will bring a certain edge to our team,” said Maccabi Haifa owner Jeffrey Rosen.

“Jesse brings experience, leadership and toughness, which will contribute to our reputation as being a physical team,” said Coach Avi Ashkenazi.

Pellot-Rosa dominated overseas in both Iceland and Denmark during the 2008-09 season.

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Topics: Announcements, Israeli sports, Jewish Sports, Jews and basketball

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