Maccabi Tel Aviv Signs Kamar Baldwin, 10 Facts About the New Guard
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv has signed American guard Kamar Baldwin to replace the injured Ivan Lunberg. Baldwin, who previously played for Bayern Munich, brings scoring ability and a unique background. He missed his daughter's birth but watched via video, has overcome disciplinary issues, and significantly improved his shooting technique. He also represents the country of Georgia internationally and had his high school jersey number retired.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv signed Kamar Baldwin, who was released from Bayern Munich.
- Baldwin watched his daughter's birth via iPad due to playing abroad.
- A coach's criticism reportedly led Baldwin to score 41 points as a teen.
- He significantly improved his three-point shooting after changing his technique.
- Baldwin is a key player for the country of Georgia's national basketball team.
- His high school jersey number 44 was retired before he graduated.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has signed American guard Kamar Baldwin as a replacement for injured player Ivan Lunberg, the club announced Tuesday. Baldwin, who was released from Bayern Munich, joins coach Oded Kattash's squad to bolster the backcourt. He arrives three weeks after Lunberg's injury.
Baldwin's career has been marked by significant moments and personal growth. In March 2021, while playing in Turkey, his first daughter, Kaylin, was born prematurely. Unable to be present for the birth, he watched via iPad as his partner, former basketball player Michelle Weaver, set up a video call. Weaver noted that fatherhood has profoundly changed Baldwin, making his daughter his top priority.
His competitive spirit was evident early on. As a teenager playing for the Atlanta Celtics, coach Derek Dickerson's harsh criticism, calling him out for playing passively and like a "little girl," reportedly spurred Baldwin to score 41 points in a game, a rare outburst for the usually team-oriented player. Discipline was also a theme in his youth; his parents once banned him from playing basketball for four games due to disciplinary issues in third grade, teaching him about consequences.
Beyond basketball, Baldwin studied music in college and has a passion for drumming, even considering a career as a musician or music teacher if not for basketball. His ambidextrous abilities were noted by high school coach Kevin Morris at age six, who couldn't determine his dominant hand due to his natural skill with both. He later developed a signature floater with his right hand, despite being a left-handed player.
Baldwin significantly revamped his shooting technique to pursue his NBA dream. After a 29.2% three-point shooting season in Turkey, he worked with personal coach Joey Barton in the summer of 2021 to refine his form, leading to a 39% success rate in Germany the following season. Although an injury hampered his NBA prospects, he achieved a remarkable 53.3% three-point shooting in seven German league games this season. A German broadcaster once dubbed him "Der komplette Wahnsinn" (The Complete Madness) for his scoring prowess.
Born in Georgia, USA, Baldwin became a national hero for the country of Georgia after receiving citizenship in November 2024 and playing a key role in their historic EuroBasket quarterfinal win against France in September 2025, scoring 24 points. His jersey number 44, initially chosen randomly in high school, became so iconic that his school retired it before he graduated. Before focusing on basketball, Baldwin also played football and ran track, but disliked the physical contact in football and the extensive running in soccer.
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