Just three days after being waived by the Nuggets, free agent shooting guard DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell has finalized a new deal. Israel’s Hapoel Tel Aviv has officially signed Akoon-Purcell, according to an announcement from the club (hat tip to Sportando).
Akoon-Purcell, 25, signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets during the offseason and held onto one of the team’s two-way slots for the first two months of the season, until Denver elected to replace him with Brandon Goodwin. Akoon-Purcell played limited minutes in seven games for the Nuggets, and averaged 24.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 4.0 APG in a pair of G League contests.
The move represents a return overseas for the Akoon-Purcell, who began his professional career with the Bakken Bears in Denmark after going undrafted out of Illinois State in 2016. He won a pair of championships in Demark’s league (Basketligaen) and was also named the MVP in 2017.
Within Hapoel Tel Aviv’s press release announcing Akoon-Purcell’s signing, team president Rami Cohen suggests that the club had multiple discussions with the player’s agent during the offseason before he signed with the Nuggets. As such, it’s no surprise the two sides reached a quick agreement once Akoon-Purcell was cut by Denver.
Very competitive league and some good talent. I had a chance to attend a Jerusalem Ha’poel vs. Tel Aviv Macabbi game about 18 months ago and the atmosphere is fantastic. Reminds me a lot like a college atmosphere. Fans are standing the entire time.