Bentil in action against Anadolou Photo courtesy of: Red Star

Ghanaian Ben Bentil is excited to be back and ready to compete on the European basketball circuit after signing a deal with Israeli Pro League team Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

The much-travelled Small Forward joins Hapoel after playing in the Japanese league for Gunma Crane Thunders last season.

In 50 games with Gunma, the 29-year-old Sekondi native averaged 17 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He moved to Japan after a stint with Red Star Belgrade.

In an interview with his alma mater Providence College, he talked about the latest chapter in his career, after playing for teams in France, Italy, Spain and Greece.

“I just signed to play in Tel-Aviv, Hapoel Tel-Aviv. We have a very good team, so I’m happy to be back. I played in Japan before and Tokyo is incredible, so I’m back in Europe, I missed Europe, so I’m back.”

Bentil won the Italian Serie A with Olimpia Milano and the Greek Pro A title twice with Panathinaikos, after shining for Greek club Peristeri.

The 6-foot-1 forward became the first Ghanaian-born player to be drafted in the NBA after being drafted by the Boston Celtics 51 years ago.^st total in the 2016 NBA Draft.