Local Hoops: Sharp stays, Fischer goes to Madrid

Maccabi team captain signs for another year; D'Or Fischer leaves for Real Madrid.

By JACOB KANTER
Maccabi TA 311 (photo credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Maccabi TA 311
(photo credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Team captain Derrick Sharp signed a one-year contract to remain at Maccabi Tel Aviv while D’Or Fischer left for Euroleague champion Real Madrid Sunday.
Sharp will play his 15th-consecutive season for Maccabi next year, and new coach David Blatt could not be happier that he decided to stay.
“It was completely clear to me that Sharp needed to stay on the team,” Blatt said.
The 38-year-old point guard’s minutes have declined each year over the past five seasons, and he averaged only 7.8 minutes and 3.2 points per game last year.
But Blatt believes his contribution is not entirely quantifiable.
“Derrick is loved by everyone – the players, the staff, the administration and the fans – and I’m sure that he will give us a lot both on and off the court.”
Fischer played a bigger role last season, avergaing 6.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 19 minutes in his second year.
In a statement, Maccabi thanked Fischer “for two wonderful seasons, during which he was a key player on the team.”