Maccabi Tel Aviv's Keaton Wallace Arrives in Israel Ready for EuroLeague Debut

Keaton Wallace, the new guard for Maccabi Tel Aviv expected to replace Loni Walker, arrived in Israel on Tuesday and was warmly welcomed by many fans at Ben Gurion Airport. Despite a delay of over two hours at baggage claim and the loss of two suitcases and his child's car seat during transit, Wallace expressed excitement about starting his journey with the team. "I just got married last Saturday, but I’m ready to start training and excited to be part of Maccabi’s rich history and culture," he said.

Wallace shared his eagerness to get on the court, meet the coaching staff and teammates, and build chemistry ahead of the EuroLeague season. He noted positive impressions about Tel Aviv from conversations with others and emphasized his readiness for the competition. Keaton is the older brother of former NBA champion and defensive standout Khyri Thomas Wallace. In his rookie NBA season, Keaton averaged 5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 16 minutes per game, including a career-high 27 points against the Chicago Bulls and a triple-double against the Orlando Magic.

Although he went undrafted in 2021 after finishing at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Wallace carved out a spot in the NBA and attracted EuroLeague interest last summer before re-signing with the Charlotte Hornets. His arrival in Israel marks a new chapter as he prepares to contribute to Maccabi Tel Aviv’s campaign.