Daniel Theis Reveals Maccabi Tel Aviv Offered Him Starting Center Role After Monaco and Villeurbanne Stints

Daniel Theis, the 34-year-old German center with extensive NBA experience, discussed his recent career moves in an interview with the Braunschweiger Zeitung. After a difficult period at AS Monaco, where the team failed to pay players for three months, Theis and his teammates nearly quit due to the financial strain. He described the situation as akin to working without receiving a salary, making it very challenging to continue playing.

Theis then signed with Villeurbanne in France, a move influenced by Tony Parker, who personally called him and suggested it would extend his career by allowing him to play more in the EuroLeague and less in the French domestic league. However, Theis revealed that communication issues plagued his time there, learning about problems mainly through the media and teammates rather than direct dialogue, and he expressed sympathy for Parker, whose reputation was affected by the troubled project.

Ultimately, Theis joined Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel's basketball champion, after their swift contact and offer to make him the starting center for two years. This opportunity convinced him to sign with the Israeli club, marking a significant step in his career after the setbacks in Monaco and Villeurbanne.