Maccabi Tel Aviv officially announced the addition of Yam Madar

By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net

Maccabi Tel Aviv officially announced the already-reported addition of Yam Madar.

The most talented point guard of his generation, Madar is leaving cross-town rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Per the press release: This is it, it’s really happening and in a big way. Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv has signed Yam Medar for the next three years. The great guard of the Israeli national team (1.90 m, 25), who grew up as a fan of the yellow-blue, will join the upgraded squad of coach Oded Kattash.

This is another important step in assembling the squad for the 2026/27 season, following the new contracts for John DiBartolomeo, Jaylen Hoard, Jimmy Clark, Will Rayman, and O’Shea Brissett, as well as the return of Bonzi Colson. Yam Madar played under Oded Kattash in the Israeli national team, knows his new teammates well, brings with him a great ability to produce points, create for others, defend, and has already gained a lot of experience at the highest levels despite his young age in the Israeli League and in Europe (89 Euroleague games).

“I am happy and excited to start a new chapter and join Maccabi Tel Aviv,” Yam Medar told the official website. “I am already looking forward to meeting the fans, teammates, and staff, and I promise to give everything I have in every practice and every game to help the club meet its goals. I want to thank the team, management, and owners for their trust and look forward to returning it on the field. Come on, Maccabi!”

“I am very happy that Yam is joining us,” said coach Oded Katash. “His qualities are clear to everyone, especially after the last playoffs, and we are designating him a significant role in the team. He comes to Maccabi at the right age and with a big upside. I want to thank the owners for the great efforts they made in signing him.”

Regarding the loyal fans that support the club, the coach added: “The secret to Maccabi’s magic stems from the connection between the fans and the team and the players. I am sure that in Yam’s case, this is the beginning of a wonderful relationship with a natural connection, which will only deepen.”

Club chairman Shimon Mizrahi conveyed the following message: “Yam, you are welcomed with waves of love and joy as you become another Israeli player who joins the anchor of our team, Maccabi Tel Aviv. We wish you great success.”

Yam Medar was born on December 21, 2001, and grew up in Beit Dagan, near Rishon LeZion. He began playing for the local youth team and later moved to the Hapoel Tel Aviv youth team. In the summer of 2018, he signed with the senior team, and the following season was crowned the most improved player in the Israeli League.

He starred on the youth team, was called up by Oded Kattash to the senior team in 2019, and that same year won the European Championship held in Israel with the junior national team, and was even selected to the tournament’s top five. Over the years, he became a leading player in the senior ranks, and in his latest national team game against Germany, he scored 31 points for the blue and white team (a career high).

In November 2020, he registered for the NBA draft like his Maccabi teammate Dani Avdiya and was selected 47th overall by the Boston Celtics. In the summer of 2021, he was signed by Zeljko Obradovic‘s Partizan Belgrade, and at the end of his second season was named the Euroleague’s Rising Star (2022/23). In the summer of 2023, he signed with Fenerbahce and won the Turkish League Championship with them. At the end of the season, he moved to Bayern Munich, before returning to Israel in November 2024 and re-signing with Hapoel.

In the 2024/25 season, he was one of the players who led the city rival to win the Eurocup and obtain the coveted ticket to the Euroleague. In the last derby of the regular season, he was hot with 9 of 10 from three and finished with 41 points. Madar also starred in the last playoffs in the Premier League (45.8% of three-pointers), and in the four games of the final series, he provided his team with 19.2 points, 8 assists, and 1.5 steals on average per night, but saw Maccabi win the championship again. Now he is moving to the yellow side.