Maccabi Tel Aviv's Keeton Wallace Explains Jersey Number Choice

New Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball player Keeton Wallace has revealed the reasoning behind his jersey number choice, 17, explaining it symbolizes new beginnings. The 27-year-old guard, who previously played for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA, chose the number after considering his move to Europe and Maccabi Tel Aviv as a fresh start.

Wallace joined Maccabi after receiving a call from the team's professional manager, Claudio Coldebella, which he described as a positive experience for him and his family. He stated that Maccabi Tel Aviv was the best option among several offers, despite his NBA aspirations. He is known for his versatility as a guard capable of impacting games in multiple ways.

Wallace is currently adapting to a new system and basketball philosophy under coach Oded Katash. He described the learning process as demanding but enjoyable, focusing on understanding the offensive plays, drills, and team concepts. He has played one preseason game and feels he is still absorbing a lot of information, acknowledging he has much more to learn in his first few weeks with the team.

Looking ahead to his EuroLeague debut, Wallace expressed respect for the league's competitiveness and his eagerness to compete. He believes his versatile skillset, including ball-handling, playmaking, and defensive capabilities across multiple positions, will translate well to European basketball. He also credited teammates Bonzi Colson, John DiBartolomeo, Amit Aboo, and Nitai Dudu for helping him integrate into the team.