From University of Rochester Athletics
After two seasons playing professionally in Spain, 2013 University of Rochester graduate John DiBartolomeo will take his basketball talents to Israel where he will play as a member of the Maccabi Bazan Haifa, professional team of the Israeli Super League.
The club announced on Wednesday that it will be signing DiBartolomeo to a two year contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 6-foot, 175-pound guard DiBartolomeo spent the past two seasons playing for Spain's Palma Air Europa, averaging 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 40.9 percent (52-of-127) from three-point range in 26.7 minutes over 28 games during the 2014-15 season in Spain's second division.
The 23-year-old was named 2014 Eurobasket All-Spanish LEB-Silver (Spain's third division) "Player of the Year" after helping guide Palma Air Europa from Spain's third division to the second division during the 2013-14 season, appearing in 33 games while posting averages of 15.1 points (third in the league), 3.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists (second in the league) and 1.5 steals.
As a NCAA Division III standout at the University of Rochester from 2009-2013, DiBartolomeo capped an amazing career being named a consensus 1st Team All-American (NABC, D3hoops.com, DIII News, USBWA) and National Player of the Year by D3hoops.com and DIII News. He finished his career ranked third All-Time in career scoring (1,779 points), second in assists (533), steals (201) and free throws (520).
"There was an overall consensus within our organization to bring John to Maccabi Haifa, after seeing him workout in Haifa, as he's a talented and dynamic guard, who will add a new dimension to our team next season," said Maccabi Bazan Haifa team owner Jeff Rosen. "John's story is rare and inspirational, going from a NCAA Division III school to dominating in Spain's third and second division as an Import player. We look forward to John making a strong contribution to Maccabi Haifa next season."
"I followed John over the last year, and before the end of the season he came to Israel to take part in practices that we held for him," said Maccabi Bazan Haifa head coach Rami Hadar. "He is a talented and intense player, who will add value to our team on both sides of the court."
DiBartolomeo and the rest of the Maccabi Bazan Haifa will be stateside on October 11, 2015 when the team will take on the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in a preseason exhibition game.
About Maccabi Haifa
Maccabi Haifa, an Israeli Basketball Super League team, has a long and storied legacy as they were one of the original eight teams to form the Premier League for the 1953-54 season. Under the ownership of American businessman, Jeffrey Rosen, the team earned its first title in franchise history after being crowned the 2012-13 Israeli League champion. The team was purchased by Jeffrey Rosen in July 2007. For more information about Maccabi Haifa, please visit www.mhbasket.co.il/en/.