Maccabi Tel Aviv won its 58th Israeli championship on Tuesday night, beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 83-79 to take the best-of-five final 3-1. Guard Lonnie Walker, who did not play at all in the final series, ended his first season in yellow with a trophy.
Walker said he was “very excited for my brothers and for the whole organization,” adding that the team had “grown from every difficulty,” stayed professional, kept pushing, and “deserved” the title from start to finish. He also said, “My name is part of the project and next season we will come back stronger.”
Asked directly whether he would remain with the club next season, Walker replied, “Maccabi is here in my heart,” while pointing to his chest. His comments came after the title-clinching win in Tel Aviv, with the guard expressing happiness for “the guys, for everyone on the court and in the office.”