After the 2023-24 NBA season, Patrick Beverley, who last played with the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, returned to overseas to continue his professional basketball career. Beverley joined Israeli Basketball Premier League’s Hapoel Tel Aviv in the offseason. However, the ongoing war in the Middle East prompted concerns from the NBA fans on social media about the 2012 EuroCup MVP’s well-being.
The 36-year-old Beverley, who recently claimed Luka Doncic is unguardable, started the 2023-24 season with the Philadelphia 76ers and was traded to the Bucks at the trade deadline. While the former NBA guard could have stayed in the league, he would have probably offered a reduced role in the team on a minimum contract.
Following his announcement of returning to Europe, NBA fans voiced worry about his well-being. Israel has been involved in a war with Lebanon and Iran over the last few weeks. This week, Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel, prompting fans to check on his condition.
Amid the ongoing attacks, the former NBA guard acknowledged his well-wishers messages and wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Thanks for reaching out. I’m safe. Peace and Love.”
NBA Community Claims Patrick Beverley Is Playing A “Risky Game”
On Wednesday, a report by Sportando stated that Patrick Beverley will return to Israel while six players and the head coach stay in Sofia. The report claimed, “Due to security concerns, players Braian Angola, Marcus Foster, Ish Wainright, Bruno Caboclo, Ben Bentil, and Johnathan Motley will stay in Sofia, Bulgaria, and rejoin the team in Belgrade next week for their game against Besiktas. Other foreign players, Patrick Beverley and Joe Ragland, will return to Israel with the rest of the team via Larnaca.”
As the report went viral on social media, NBA fans flooded the comment section with a mixed reaction. Some fans called out Beverley by sharing his earlier comment, in which he claimed, “he would leave if a bomb went off.”
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Others prayed for his well-being, while some called it a “risky” move to play in Israel. Some suggested the point guard return to the NBA, whether in a bench role or a veteran spot in a franchise.
The former NBA player, who has three All-Defensive selections, has played in three European countries from 2008 to 2012 before joining the Houston Rockets in January 2013. Patrick Beverley will be in action soon as Hapoel Tel Aviv set to play their EuroCup Round 3 game against Besiktas on Tuesday, October 8.
