ITHACA, N.Y. -- Jeff Foote, a two-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Ivy pick, has signed a three-year professional contract to play for Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv. Maccabi Tel Aviv plays in the top European and Israeli first leagues, the highest division in Europe.

Maccabi has won the prestigious European Cup five times since 1977 with eight additional runner-up finishes, the last in 2008. The club has won 48 Israeli National Championship titles (including 23 straight from 1970-92) and 37 Israeli State Cups. Among the NBA players who have suited up for the club over the years are Tom Chambers, Anthony Parker, Omri Casspi, Beno Udrih, Šarunas Jasikevicius and Maceo Baston. In all, 32 former members of the club have enjoyed an NBA career.

Other Americans currently playing for Maccabi include USC's David Blumenthal, West Virginia's D'or Fischer, South Carolina's Chuck Eidson, Santa Clara's Doron Perkins and South Florida's Derrick Sharp.

Foote was a first-team All-Ivy and second-team NABC All-District selection after leading the conference in field goal percentage (.625) and rebounding (8.1) also ranked second in blocked shots (1.9). The 7-0 center averaged 12.3 points and 2.3 assists on the offensive end. He anchored a defense that allowed opponents to shoot just 42 percent from the floor and outrebounded opponents by more than three boards per contest. The three-time Ivy League Player of the Week in 2009-10 was especially effective against high major opponents, recording 19 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks at St. John's, 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks at Alabama, 12 points and 10 rebounds at Syracuse and 12 points, six rebounds and three assists at Kansas. He was named the tournament MVP at the MSG Holiday Festival.