Israeli Guard Yam Madar Joins Maccabi Tel Aviv in Major Basketball Transfer
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Israeli basketball player Yam Madar has signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv, transferring from Hapoel Tel Aviv despite a higher salary offer from his former team. Madar had limited EuroLeague minutes last season but performed well in the Israeli league. Meanwhile, Tamir Blatt is expected to move from Maccabi to Hapoel Tel Aviv.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yam Madar transfers from Hapoel Tel Aviv to Maccabi Tel Aviv for $4.5 million over two years.
- Madar played five seasons at Hapoel but had limited EuroLeague minutes last season.
- Hapoel offered Madar a higher salary, but he chose to join their city rivals.
- Speculation about Madar moving to LSU in the US college league was dismissed.
- Tamir Blatt is expected to move from Maccabi to Hapoel Tel Aviv for a higher salary.
- Maccabi recently won the championship against Hapoel in a season disrupted by a strike.
Israeli basketball player Yam Madar, aged 25 and standing 1.90 meters tall, has transferred from Hapoel Tel Aviv to their city rivals and reigning champions Maccabi Tel Aviv. Madar, who grew up in Hapoel Tel Aviv and played five seasons there across two stints, signed a two-year contract reportedly worth around $4.5 million.
Last season, Madar saw limited playing time in the EuroLeague under Hapoel's Greek coach Dimitris Itoudis, who did not give him much credit. This lack of minutes frustrated Madar, although he did receive more opportunities from the coach during the Israeli Premier League season, where he averaged 13.2 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 24 minutes per game.
Hapoel Tel Aviv attempted to retain Madar by offering him a higher salary than Maccabi, but he ultimately chose to cross the street and join the rival team. There had been speculation that Madar might move to the American college basketball scene with Louisiana State University (LSU), potentially becoming one of the oldest players to secure a multimillion-dollar contract, but he decided to continue his career in Israeli and European basketball.
In a related move, point guard Tamir Blatt is expected to transfer in the opposite direction to Hapoel Tel Aviv, which is reportedly willing to pay him a higher salary than he currently earns at Maccabi. This transfer comes shortly after Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv to win the championship, a season marked by a strike that led to Hapoel receiving a technical loss.
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