Yam Madar Signs Record Deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club

Yam Madar, the standout guard who recently left Hapoel Tel Aviv, has officially signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv, marking one of the biggest transfers in Israeli basketball history. The 25-year-old signed a three-year contract with an option for two additional years, earning approximately $2 million per season, the highest salary ever paid to an Israeli player at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Madar chose this move despite Hapoel Tel Aviv offering a longer contract with higher financial terms, prioritizing professional considerations over salary.

The transfer process faced delays due to disagreements over insurance coverage and the buyout payment Madar owed Hapoel Tel Aviv after terminating his previous contract for $300,000. These issues were eventually resolved, finalizing the significant switch from Hapoel to Maccabi.

Madar impressed during the recent finals against Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring 34 points with 10 assists in the second game and 26 points with nine assists in the fourth game, along with 41 points in the last regular-season derby. This season, he averaged 13.2 points (41.8% from three-point range) and 4 assists per game in the Israeli Premier League, and 3.1 points in 9:42 minutes per game in the EuroLeague.

This move marks Madar's fourth team in his professional career, following stints with Hapoel Tel Aviv, Partizan Belgrade, and Fenerbahçe, and also his fourth EuroLeague team. Madar expressed enthusiasm about joining Maccabi and meeting the fans, saying, "Looking forward to meeting the crowd. Let's go Maccabi!"