Casspi stays with Maccabi until 2010

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv moved to secure its hold of one of the top local players by re-signing forward Omri Casspi for the upcoming two seasons. Casspi had just one more year left in his current contract, and both sides wished to re-negotiate a new contract, which was announced on Friday. "I said all the way that my heart belongs to Maccabi," Casspi said. "I'm happy to sign the new contract and want to give everything in me for the success of the club."

Casspi (20, 205) was one of the top young players in the Euroleague the past season. His intensity and skills impressed many already in his debut Euroleague season. The forward averaged 4.5 points and 2.1 rebounds, but was in the starting line up in seven games including the Euroleague final against CSKA, when he scored 9 points. His best performance was in the quarterfinals against Barcelona, where he scored 18 and grabbed 10 boards.

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