Maccabi Tel Aviv's Daniel Theis Eyes EuroLeague Title, Tattoo

German center Daniel Theis, a significant summer acquisition for Maccabi Tel Aviv, expressed his ambition to win the EuroLeague title with the club, even stating he has space for a tattoo of the trophy. Theis, 34, joined Maccabi after his planned season with French club ASVEL Villeurbanne collapsed due to financial issues. He brings extensive experience, including eight years in the NBA and successful stints in Europe.

Theis is still adjusting to life in Tel Aviv, having arrived directly from national team duty. He has been impressed by the passion of Maccabi's fans, describing their gestures as "something I haven't seen before." While he hasn't had much time to explore the city yet, he anticipates doing so as the team's schedule becomes less demanding. He previously visited Israel about ten years ago for a German national team game.

His family, including his wife and two children, remains in Boston due to their schooling and established routine, as they plan to settle there after his basketball career concludes. Theis acknowledged the difficulty of being apart but is accustomed to it. He also discussed the challenges of frequent team changes for families compared to players.

Reflecting on his career, Theis highlighted the impact of his NBA experience, particularly observing the dedication of top players to their physical conditioning. He believes the EuroLeague is more team-oriented and tougher to score in than the NBA, despite the latter's individual talent. Theis is motivated by past losses, including a EuroLeague final defeat, and aims to win an Olympic medal with the German national team in 2028.

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Theis stated that the minimum goal for Maccabi should be reaching the playoffs, with the Final Four being a natural progression. He emphasized the importance of team unity and passion, believing it is key to overcoming challenges and achieving success. Theis is eager to experience the home atmosphere at Menora Mivtachim Arena and is looking forward to the Super Cup derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv as a statement of intent for the season.