By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Putting Josh Nebo, Jarell Martin, Wade Baldwin IV, Rafi Menco, Lorenzo Brown, Darrun Hilliard, Austin Hollins, Guy Pnini, Bonzie Colson, and Alex Poythress in the new roster, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv also retained team captain John DiBartolomeo, Maccabi announced Wednesday.
DiBartolomeo, 31, re-signed in 2020 with the latest contract including an option for the 2022-23 season. Using the option extended his stay in the Israeli powerhouse for a sixth season in a row. Over the first five seasons, he averaged 4.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.6 steals per game in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. At the domestic level, he helped Maccabi capture the Winner League title four times from 2018 to 2021.
With experienced tactician Oded Kattash taking over the head-coaching responsibilities, the Maccabi captain survived the massive roster overhaul. In 2021-22, the Yellows went through a head-coaching change with Giannis Sfairopoulos exiting and Avi Even replacing him in February but a late run secured a ticked for the playoffs of the EuroLeague. As the fifth seed, Maccabi took on Real Madrid and was swept in three games.
As for Israel’s Winner League, the team based in Tel Aviv settled for second place in the final standings of the Regular Season behind Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem and knocked out Hapoel SP Tel Aviv in the Quarterfinals of the playoffs before being eliminated by Bnei Ofek Dist Herzeliya in the Semifinals. Hapoel Tel Aviv delivered the finishing blow ending the quest to win the Israeli State Cup.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net