Mac TA extends Smith’s contract by three more years

Devin Smith is set to become Maccabi Tel Aviv’s longest serving foreign player after signing a contract extension until the end of the 2017/18 season on Tuesday.

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Devin Smith (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Devin Smith
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Devin Smith is set to become Maccabi Tel Aviv’s longest serving foreign player after signing a contract extension until the end of the 2017/18 season on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old forward was originally brought to the club by coach David Blatt in the summer of 2011 and has become the face of the team over recent seasons. Smith has played a bigger role for the yellow-and-blue with every passing season, currently averaging career-highs in almost every category.
Smith, who will earn an estimated one million dollars per season after tax, is averaging 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in the Euroleague so far this season after being one of the main catalysts behind Maccabi’s run to the European title last term.
He had 15 points and seven rebounds in the Euroleague final against Real Madrid and led Maccabi to a win over Hapoel Jerusalem in the State Cup final earlier this year, scoring 27 points.
“It is a great feeling to continue my career at Maccabi,” said Smith on Tuesday. “When I first came here it felt like home and this is where I want to be.
It is a privilege and a blessing to continue my career here.
I’ve had ups and downs and struggles, but I’m happy to be here. It was important for me to sign a long-term contract.
I can see myself ending my career here.”
To date, Smith has won four State Cups, two Israeli championships, one Adriatic League championship, and one Euroleague championship.
Should Smith complete his new contract he will have played for Maccabi for seven seasons, becoming the club’s longest serving foreigner, passing American Kevin Magee and Croatian Nikola Vujcic, who each played six years for the yellow-and-blue.
“I’m happy that, after a lot of effort and many conversations with Devin and his agents, Avi Zilberman and Buddy Baker, we were able to find a way to keep Devin with us for three more years,” said Maccabi GM Danny Federman. “To me, Devin’s personality represents the best of Maccabi – a winner, humility, and hard work. It is a great honor to sign a contract with a player who has joined the respected list of the greatest of all time, especially since, with this new contract, Devin will become the foreigner who has played the longest with Maccabi.”