Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv is happy to announce that Tal Burstein, 31, has been named captain of the squad. Now starting his 11th season with Maccabi, he is the most veteran player on the team.
By Amy Samin
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv is happy to announce that Tal Burstein, 31, has been named captain of the squad. Now starting his 11th season with Maccabi, he is the most veteran player on the team. That title was previously held by the former team captain, Derrick Sharp, who now serves as an assistant coach.
Tal grew up with Bnei Herzliya, and came to Maccabi Tel Aviv at the age of 20 to replace Doron Shefer. In his first season with the club (2000 – 2001), Tal quickly became part of the starting five and together with his teammates won the Suproleague where, in the final against Panathinaikos in Paris, he scored an unforgettable dunk. By the time he was 25 Tal had won three European titles, including the ones from 2004 in Tel Aviv and 2005 in Moscow.
Up until now, Tal has won 9 Israeli championships, 7 State Cups and the aforementioned 3 European championships. Starting with the 2000 – 2001 season, Tal played for 9 straight years with Maccabi, then left to play for Fuenlabrada of Spain. Tal returned to Maccabi at the start of the 2010 – 2011 season.
Tal was selected for the Israeli National Team at the age of 18; today he is also the captain of that team. Tal also served as captain of the Under 20 National Team, which in 2000 took second place in the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship in Macedonia. In 2001, Tal and the Israeli National Under-22 squad took seventh place in the world in the competition held in Japan.
To date, Tal has scored 1,157 points for Maccabi in European play – 13th in the list of all-time highest scorers for the club, ahead of such players as Moti Daniel, Nate Huffman, Oded Katash, Lee Johnson, LaVon Mercer, Doron Shefer, and Moti Aroesty. Tal has scored 1,906 points so far for Maccabi in the Israeli League.
Club president Shimon Mizrahi: “Tal is our most veteran player, a senior partner in many victories and impressive accomplishments. He knows the system very well, having been with us for over a decade, and is the most suitable choice for the role of team captain. I’m sure he will do an excellent job.”
Head coach David Blatt: “To bear the title of team captain is both a great honor and a serious responsibility, and Tal Burstein is the most fitting choice for the job. He’s had a long and wonderful career with Maccabi and played a very large part in the fantastic dynasty that has developed here. I’m very happy for him, and I’m sure he’ll be a great captain.”
Assistant coach and former team captain Derrick Sharp: “It was the most natural and fair choice, I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more. In fact, for the last few years Tal and I worked together as co-captains. He has always been a leader and a role model both on and off the court. He’ll transition smoothly and easily into the job, he doesn’t need to make any drastic changes. I wish him luck and many years in the position.”
