Maccabi Tel Aviv Captain John DiBartolomeo Signs Two-Year Contract Extension

John DiBartolomeo, the captain of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team, has officially signed a two-year contract extension, continuing his long tenure with the club. The announcement was first revealed by Sport Channel and confirmed by Sport 5 on July 8, 2026. DiBartolomeo, who turned 34 recently, is set to complete his tenth season with Maccabi, becoming only the 17th player in the club's history to reach double-digit seasons. This extension also allows him to surpass Doron Jamchi's previous record of eight seasons with the team.

Claudio Coldebella, the club's management, prioritized retaining DiBartolomeo during the summer transfer period. The captain has won seven championships with Maccabi and has been serving as team captain since January 2018. Maccabi Tel Aviv chairman Shimon Mizrahi expressed pride in DiBartolomeo's long-standing commitment, highlighting that upon completing the new contract, he will have played 11 years for the club.

Head coach Oded Katash praised DiBartolomeo's professionalism, leadership, and dedication, calling him a central figure in the locker room and a role model for teammates. DiBartolomeo himself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue representing Maccabi, emphasizing the responsibility of wearing the captain's jersey and thanking the club, owners, coaches, teammates, and fans for their support. He also stated his excitement for the future and his commitment to helping the team compete for every title.

This contract extension underscores Maccabi Tel Aviv's strategy of maintaining continuity by securing key players for extended periods, reinforcing the club's identity and competitive ambitions in the EuroLeague and domestic competitions.