Maccabi Tel Aviv has officially signed American point guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. to a three-year contract, bringing the 28-year-old to Europe for the first time in his professional career.
The move comes after weeks of negotiations and completes another major piece in the Israeli powerhouse’s backcourt rebuild, following the recent signing of Lonnie Walker IV and the arrival of Oshae Brissett – both former NBA teammates of Dowtin’s.
Dowtin, a 1.91-meter (6-foot-3) combo guard, played 41 games last season for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 7.0 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in just over 15 minutes per game, while shooting 40% from three-point range. His standout performance came late in the season when he exploded for 30 points against the Washington Wizards.
He also spent time with Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, where he posted eye-popping numbers: 24.6 points per game on 51% shooting from two-point range, 43.4% from beyond the arc, along with 4.1 assists and 3 rebounds.
A product of Rhode Island University, Dowtin began his pro career in 2020 after going undrafted. He won a G League championship in 2021 with the Lakeland Magic and later signed short-term deals with the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors.
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“I’m very happy to arrive in Tel Aviv and play for Maccabi,” Dowtin said in a statement on the club’s official website. “I can’t wait to start my new chapter in Europe and play for such a historic club with an amazing fan base. I want to thank the management and coaching staff for the opportunity. Let’s get it!”
Maccabi’s head coach Oded Katash expressed confidence in the new signing, describing Dowtin as “a player with great potential” and praising his athleticism and ability to create shots for both himself and his teammates.
“He has the basketball intelligence to adapt to the European game,” said Katash. “We’re sure he’ll bring a lot of energy and passion to succeed.”
Sporting director Claudio Coldebella echoed the sentiment, revealing that Maccabi had been monitoring Dowtin for years.
“Jeff is a gifted and versatile point guard who puts enormous pressure on the defense thanks to his passing and feel for the game. His NBA experience is a valuable asset to our roster and locker room chemistry. He brings to Tel Aviv high basketball IQ, tireless work ethic, a passion for improvement, and a burning desire to compete,” said Coldebella. “We’re excited to welcome Jeff and his family to our beautiful city with great warmth and enthusiasm.”
An offseason with several high-profile additions
Dowtin joins a busy Maccabi Tel Aviv offseason that has already included several high-profile additions. In addition to Walker and Brissett, the club retained key pieces from last year’s core while also targeting European-experienced veterans to bolster depth and versatility. The moves come as the team looks to make another deep Euroleague run after narrowly missing the Final Four last season.
Maccabi’s flurry of activity also reflects the growing urgency to maintain domestic dominance as the rivalry with Hapoel Tel Aviv continues to escalate.
With Hapoel making its own splashy signings and also competing in the Euroleague this season, the battle for basketball supremacy in the city – and in Israel – is more intense than ever. The historic Tel Aviv derby is now set to be fought not only in domestic competition, but also on Europe’s biggest stage, adding further fuel to an already fiery rivalry.
Dowtin’s arrival all but confirms the departure of Lithuanian guard Rokas Jokubaitis, who is reportedly on his way to Bayern Munich. Jokubaitis recently hinted in interviews with the Lithuanian press that he no longer wished to continue with Maccabi due to security concerns and has received a significantly higher financial offer from the German club.
As Maccabi Tel Aviv continues assembling its roster for the upcoming Euroleague season, Dowtin becomes the latest NBA-caliber talent to join the yellow-and-blue, aiming to lead the team back to the top of European basketball – while keeping one eye on the red side of the city.