Celtics fans will be paying close to attention to Jayson Tatum’s performance with Team USA during the Olympic Games. But the most intriguing show of the summer may come in the NBA Summer League.
That’s because Yam Madar is coming.
Who is Yam Madar, you ask? The Celtics selected the Israeli point guard with the No. 47 overall pick in last year’s draft, stashing him overseas for the season. Now, he’s expected to play in Las Vegas when the Summer League begins Aug. 8.
“I don’t know anything in my life that has come guaranteed,” Madar told Adam Himmelsbach of the Globe. “Every place I’m coming, I’m coming to work and coming to earn my place on the team. That’s something I know how to do. Working hard is something I know how to do.”
The journey to bring Madar to the states hasn’t been easy. An arbiter in Israel ruled last month that Madar must remain under contract with his current team, the Hapoel Tel Aviv, for one more season. If he leaves, he will have to be bought out.
Madar arrived in Boston last weekend and met with the Celtics brass for the first time.
Though Madar still must show he’s worthy of an NBA contact, he comes with intrigue and potential. The international man of mystery is one of the best young prospects in Israel, playing in his native country’s professional league since he was 17 years old (he’s now 21).
Last season, he averaged 17.1 points and 5.2 assists per game, while improving his 3-point accuracy from 27 percent to 41.
While Madar says he was contacted by several European clubs, he can’t wait for his opportunity to join the Celtics.
“I’m very excited to be joining stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart,” he told Himmelsbach. “I just want to work with them, because I’ve seen how they mastered their craft and got better. Those are the kind of players I want to work with.”
The Celtics have a mixed track record with international prospects. As Himmelsbach notes, first-round picks Ante Zizic and Guerschon Yabusele never turned into players. Daniel Theis is their only recent success story.
But Madar is hoping to change that. With Kemba Walker shipped out, the Celtics have opportunities at point guard.
Madar's road to the NBA could start in just a few weeks. We’ll be watching.