FC Bayern Basketball has filled one vacant position in its backcourt: Israeli national player Yam Madar is moving to Munich and has signed with the double winner for two years until 2026. The 23-year-old point guard gained initial experience at the highest European level in the past two seasons with Partizan Belgrade and most recently with Fenerbahce Istanbul. The "EuroLeague Rising Star" of the 2022/2023 season was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft but remained in Europe.
"Energy, Fighting Spirit, and Dedication"
"With the experience of the past two years, I will give everything to hopefully become an even better player," says Madar. "Bayern is a historic club that everyone in Europe knows. And I will show this club the appropriate respect and give 100 percent in every game so that we can win as many games as possible. In the BBL, we want to build on what was achieved last season, and in the EuroLeague, we will aim for the Top 8. I am excited about this new challenge."
Marko Pesic, Managing Director of Bayern Basketball: "Yam has been on our radar for a long time, and we had an intensive exchange last year. We are very happy that it worked out this time. He is a player who is still very young but has already gained a lot of experience and always played at the highest level in his career. His energy, fighting spirit, and dedication to the game, combined with his game intelligence and now good experience in the EuroLeague, will be very helpful for us next season."
"EuroLeague Rising Star" and U20 European Champion
Yam Madar, standing at 1.90 meters, impressed already at a young age. He debuted at 17 with former national champion Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he also made his mark in European competition. In his third season there, at the age of 20, he shone in Israel's top league with an average of 17.1 points and 5.2 assists, along with a three-point shooting percentage of 47 percent.
In November 2020, the Boston Celtics secured the rights to the 47th draft pick, but the journey continued the following summer at Partizan Belgrade (EuroLeague: 8.6 PPG). In his second year under Željko Obradović, he cemented his status as one of the most promising playmaking talents by winning the 2023 Adriatic League and again in the EuroLeague (5.8 PPG; 6.6 PPG in the playoffs against Real Madrid).
Playoff experience with Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce acquired him, and although his playing time in Istanbul was limited, he averaged around 13 minutes per game last season (4.3 PPG, 2 APG). He contributed 11.2 points (46.3% three-pointers) and 5.4 assists to winning the Turkish championship.
At the 2022 European Championship, Madar averaged 13.4 points over five games, and in the current European Championship qualification, he stands at 17.5 points after two games. At the U20 European Championship in 2019, the teenager played a key role in Israel's surprising title win, averaging 15.9 points per game and leading the tournament in assists (7.7 APG, 47% three-pointers).
Photos: EuroLeague
YAM MADAR
(*December 21st, 2000, Beit Dagan/ISR)
Point Guard – 1,90 m – 82 kg
2018 – 2021: Hapoel Tel Aviv (Juniors, ISR 1, BCL Qualification)
2021 – 2023: Partizan Belgrad (Adria-League, EuroLeague/EuroCup)
2023 – 2024: Fenerbahce Istanbul (TUR 1, EuroLeague)
Awards/Achievements:
Turkish Champion 2024
Turkish Cup Winner 2024
Adriatic League Champion 2023
U20 European Champion 2019
EuroLeague Rising Star 2022/2023
All-Israeli Basketball Premier League Second Team (2021)
NBA Draft 2020 Pick No. 47
Israeli Premier League Most Improved Player 2020