Ex-Maccabi teammates urge John DiBartolomeo to decide based on passion, not pressure

Former teammates and an ex-coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv captain John DiBartolomeo spoke to Sport 5 about whether he should retire or keep playing, as his future remains uncertain at age 35. The discussion focused on his leadership, work ethic and whether he still has the motivation to continue. The story was published on June 21, 2026, at 16:34.

Former coach Luk Plokrazi said DiBartolomeo led by example and was unusually humble. “The teammates always admired him,” he said, adding that DiBartolomeo was a rare talent who often felt he was “not good enough.” Plokrazi said he had to push him to be more selfish and take more shots, because he never felt satisfied with himself.

Otello Hunter recalled how DiBartolomeo kept working even after an Achilles injury, showing up every day to the gym and training hard to return. “He worked harder than all of us,” Hunter said. He described him as someone who never shouted in frustration, but instead showed others what to do and chose the right moment to speak. Hunter, who left Maccabi in 2021 and retired in 2023 after playing for Bayern Munich, said each player must ask himself honestly what he really wants, because “from here there is no way back.”

On the court, DiBartolomeo is still producing strong numbers and, despite being 35, is considered good enough to stay at Maccabi. In the current Israeli league playoffs, he is averaging 8.6 points, shooting 40.6% from three, plus 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, boosted by Tamir Blatt’s injury. It is his best playoff run since his MVP season at Maccabi Haifa in 2016/2017.

Blak said DiBartolomeo could one day become a coach because of his high IQ and understanding of the game, but stressed that passion should determine the decision. “If he wakes up and feels like the first time he put on a uniform, he should not stop,” Blak said. If he feels the spark is gone, then that is the signal to move on, and if he retires, Hunter said he should take time to rest, look back on his career, and enjoy the journey before deciding what comes next.