Israeli guard Yam Madar was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 47th pick overall in the 2020 NBA Draft and joins Deni Avdija as the two brand new Blue & White representatives in the world’s best league. There was some doubt that Beit Dagan native would be chosen by one of the 30 teams after he remained in the draft and didn’t pull his name out a week ago but his decision proved to be the correct one after being selected by arguably the greatest NBA franchise.
The 6”4 guard who plays his club basketball with Hapoel Tel Aviv has shown much promise since bursting on the international scene back in the summer of 2019 when he featured on the Israel Under-20 squad which won the European Championship in Tel Aviv. With his deftness, quickness and all around game, Madar continued to move up the draft pecking order over the past year and was confident that he would be selected.
Surrounded by his close family and friends, Madar was embraced by his father Zohar when he got word that he had become Celtics property in an emotional moment as tears streamed down both of there faces.
Dov Halickman Photography
Madar will stay in Israel for the time being according to Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, and won’t join the team for this coming season, “He’s a player we watched over in Israel quite a bit. We’ll see if it works out and it will be at least another year.”
As for Madar, he understands the tradition of the Boston Celtics and is well aware of all of the greats that have come before him whether it was Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce and others, “It’s a great honor to be part of this organization. I don’t know where everything will go but it’s very exciting being with my family at this time. It has been a dream since I was a kid. It’s a dream come true and I’m very happy.”
The challenge to play for the Celtics is something that Madar is relishing as well as also representing the Jewish community of the Greater Boston area and around North America, “It will bring me more motivation and I’ll work harder. I am representing them and I want to do that the best way I can and at the highest level.”
“I will do everything to work the best that I can and I’ll do what I need to do. I will know what my role is and grow from there.”
0 Comments