Former Laker Patrick Beverley to make major decision on Israel league future citing Iranian fiancee Mandana Bolourchi

Former Laker guard and now Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv player Patrick Beverley is pondering his future in the Israel league. He cited the difficulty of striking a balance between having an Iranian fiancée in Mandana Bolourchi and playing for his team amid the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran.

NBA Central posted a quote from Beverley on X (formerly Twitter), with Basketball News as the source, sharing the difficult decision he has to make over his current predicament.

Beverley said:

"I'm almost like a spokesperson for Israeli sports. But a lot of people don't understand that I have a fiancee who's from Iran. Me being here is causing a lot of added stress from both families."

Patrick Beverley signed to play in Israel for Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv back in July. Despite the ongoing conflict between the nation and Hezbollah and Iran, they are safe and secure as they go about their campaign. Beverley and his team are currently leading in the standings with an unblemished 6-0 record, with the 12-year NBA veteran averaging 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, a steal and a block in five games so far.

Meanwhile, Beverley and Bolourchi have been in a steady relationship since 2021 but have kept it largely private. She is an Iranian-born businesswoman and a social media influencer affiliated with several top fashion brands.

Patrick Beverley expresses concern over safety playing in Israel at the moment

Patrick Beverley said they have been assured of their safety playing in the Israeli league but he remains guarded of the situation, with tension still high.

He shared this in an episode of his Pat Bev podcast earlier this month, relaying how one of his teammates, Jonathan Motley, had leftover security concerns and how he, too, is contemplating leaving and returning to the NBA.

Beverley said (via Sports Illustrated):

"This week has been kind of tough for us, because our big man Jonathan Motley, all of a sudden hit us with the pump fake. Said he don't feel safe no more. Leaves the team. Our leading scorer, best big man in EuroCup."

The 36-year-old player added:

"I've been thinking a lot. What's the next move? What to do, what to not do. Do I go back to the NBA? If i go back to the NBA, do I turn my back on my teammates? That's not my style... So I have some decisions to make."

Patrick Beverley signed to play in Israel back in July. Last season, he split time between Philadelphia and Milwaukee.