By Amy Samin
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv has signed former player Jeremy Pargo (28, 6’2”), to a two-year contract. “I am very happy to come back to Maccabi; it’s a really emotional moment for me. The truth is, I always knew that this moment would come. I always knew I would come back to Maccabi. It’s one of the most special clubs in the world.”
“I can’t wait to see the fans again. The fans are what make Maccabi. I’ve been a few places in the world, and there are no fans like them! Anyone who has ever been in Nokia knows it, and anyone who came to the Final Four in Milan knows it, too. I’m going to give everything I have. I can’t wait to get out there on the court in Nokia. Yalla Maccabi!”
Head coach Guy Goodes is delighted to see the American guard return: “We’re very happy that Jeremy Pargo has returned to Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv. Jeremy did an excellent job for us in the past, and yielded great results and achievements in 2011. He will bring athleticism, personal ability, game management, leadership and a lot of energy. He really wants to play, and to lead. He wants to prove again that he is a highly skilled player.”
Pargo returns to Maccabi after being a star for the team during the 2010-2011 season, in which he led Maccabi to the Euroleague Final in Barcelona. During that season, he posted averages of 13 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game and was named to the All-Euroleague Second Team. He was also named to the Israeli League First Team with averages of 10 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, and won the Double (Cup and Championship) with the team.
In the summer of 2011, Pargo went to the NBA, where he joined the Memphis Grizzlies. The following season he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, where one of his teammates was Omri Casspi. Later in the season he went to Philadelphia. In his two seasons in the NBA, Pargo played in 83 games, finishing with averages of 4.7 points and 1.8 assists, in 13 minutes of playing time. He posted his best numbers while with the Cavs: 7.8 points and 2.6 assists.
Last season Pargo played for CSKA Moscow, and played against Maccabi in the Euroleague semifinal game at the Final Four in Milan. Pargo contributed averages of 5 points and 1.4 assists in 15 minutes of playing time in the Euroleague while with the Russian powerhouse. He won the championship in the VTB League, where he averaged 5.5 points and 2.5 assists.