UNC Basketball Alumni: J.P. Tokoto signs overseas with new team

A former UNC Basketball player is continuing his career overseas as he has agreed to a deal in Israel for the upcoming season

Former UNC Basketball forward J.P. Tokoto is on the move again as he has found a new home in professional basketball.

The 27-year-old Tokoto is still playing in Israel but it will be for a new team this season. According to a report from EuroHoops.net, Tokoto is close to signing a deal with Hapoel Tel Aviv.

This will be Tokoto’s third stint in Israel as he previously spent time with Hapoel Eilat during the 2018-19 season and then Ironi Nes Ziona last season.

Tokoto spent three seasons with North Carolina before leaving in his junior year for the 2015 NBA Draft. In his time at UNC, Tokoto averaged 6.7 points, 4.4. rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in Chapel Hill. The forward was selected in the second round with the 58th overall pick in the draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and spent two years in the league with the G-League teams in Oklahoma City and Rio Grande.

From there, Tokoto played in Australia with Perth then in Israel with Hapoel before going to Burgos in Spain for the 2019-20 season. Last year, Tokoto spent time in Israel and is now back in the Israeli Winners League.

Tokoto averaged 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season and is expected to replace Jon Diebler with Hapoel Tel Aviv and earn a role in the rotation.

For more on Tokoto and other former UNC Basketball players, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.