Maccabi Tel Aviv Extends Captain John DiBartolomeo's Contract Through 2028

Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club has officially extended the contract of their captain, John DiBartolomeo, for two additional years, securing his presence with the team until the end of the 2027/28 season. The 35-year-old guard, who joined the club in 2017, will complete 11 seasons with the yellow team, surpassing Doron Jamchi's record for the longest-serving captain in the club's history. Coach Oded Katash praised DiBartolomeo as a professional and moral compass for the locker room, calling him "synonymous with professionalism and leadership." Club chairman Shimon Mizrahi also expressed satisfaction with retaining the veteran player, highlighting his consistent dedication and pride in his decade-long tenure.

Despite limited playing time in the EuroLeague last season, DiBartolomeo remained influential in the Israeli league, averaging 7.9 points in the regular season and elevating his performance in the playoffs with 8.6 points per game and an impressive 92.9% free-throw accuracy. His defensive energy and momentum-shifting ability off the bench have made him a fan favorite and an indispensable part of Katash's rotation.

Following this announcement, Maccabi Tel Aviv aims to finalize the signing of guard Yam Madar, who has already agreed to terms with the club, to strengthen their backcourt alongside DiBartolomeo. Negotiations are also ongoing with Ife Lundberg regarding his contract extension. The club is now focusing on bolstering their frontcourt, with potential targets including Rishon Holmes, recently released by Panathinaikos, and Bruno Fernando from Partizan Belgrade, both considered leading candidates for reinforcement under the basket.