Maccabi Tel Aviv's New Guard Wallace Impresses in Debut Despite Loss

Maccabi Tel Aviv's new guard, Kithon Wallace, showcased significant potential in his debut game on Friday, scoring 20 points, dishing out 4 assists, and grabbing 3 rebounds in 25 minutes. Despite his strong performance, Maccabi Tel Aviv lost their preseason opener 86-84 to Bnei Herzliya, after squandering a 17-point lead.

European basketball observers took notice of Wallace's impressive debut. Reports from Serbia suggested that Wallace is expected to fill the shoes of departed player Lonnie Walker and that his adaptation to the team will be crucial for Maccabi Tel Aviv's season. Based on his first game, it appears he will have no trouble making the transition.

BasketNews also highlighted Wallace's standout performance, noting that while his effort wasn't enough to secure a win, Maccabi Tel Aviv witnessed immense potential from one of their key offseason acquisitions. Wallace, a 1.90-meter guard who can play point guard and shooting guard, is left-handed.

Wallace began his career at UTSA, where he excelled but was undrafted in 2021. He then played in the NBA's G League before joining the Atlanta Hawks for the past two seasons. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 16.2 minutes per game, and in 2025-26, he contributed 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 10.1 minutes, shooting 37.3% from three-point range.

Wallace is described as an athletic point guard with good defensive capabilities, adept at applying ball pressure and managing the game.