The Latest on Yam Madar and Juhann Begarin

Will Yam Madar or Juhann Begarin fill one of the Celtics' two-way roster spots next season?

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA's new collective bargaining agreement makes finding contributors on team-friendly contracts even more crucial. That's especially true for a Celtics team that may sign Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to extensions worth a combined $613 million.

Boston has a pair of prospects honing their craft overseas who could help that cause.

2020 second-round selection Yam Madar, 22, had a breakout season for Partizan Belgrade, who played in EuroLeague for the first time in eight years. According to the EuroLeague, he averaged 5.8 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 rebounds on that stage while logging 13 minutes per contest.

The six-foot-three guard earned EuroLeague Rising Star honors. The award goes to the best player younger than 22 the previous summer. Past winners include Luka Doncic (2017-18), Ricky Rubio (2010), and Danilo Gallinari (2008).

Along with that accolade, the EuroLeague Players Association voted Madar as its "Best Young Player."

2023 ELPA Players’ Choice Award “BEST YOUNG PLAYER” goes to Yam Madar 🙌
 
🔎 Best performing young player (U-22).
 
🎨 by @annnnnnnadesign
 #ELPlayers #ELPA #PlayersChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/HRC8uHqVNX

— EuroLeague Players Association (@the_ELPA) June 7, 2023

While he still doesn't seem ready for the NBA, his progress is encouraging.

Perhaps, Madar will suit up for the Celtics in Summer League. He did so in 2021, playing in three games and producing 4.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and an assist per contest.

The original plan was for him to participate again last summer, but it wound up conflicting with the Israeli National Team's schedule.

Since teams now get three two-way roster spots, if Madar shows up and performs well at Summer League, Boston might offer him one of those slots.

However, he may feel more comfortable continuing to develop his game in the EuroLeague compared to the G League. The former 47th pick may never play for the Celtics, but it's too early to predict, and if he continues growing his game, he could one day make the jump to the NBA.

Then, there's Juhann Begarin.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

In this author's opinion, the 45th pick in the 2021 draft is more likely than Madar to be in Boston on a two-way deal next season.

The 20-year-old played the last two seasons for Paris Basketball in the top league in France. He's coming off a campaign where he averaged 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.3 minutes per game, per basketball-reference.

While Begarin's grown as a scorer, including a 28-point performance this season, and a facilitator, in the NBA, his defensive potential could prove most valuable. In 15 EuroCup games, he swiped 1.9 steals per contest.

The Guadeloupe native has played for the Celtics in Summer League for the last two years and will likely be back in Vegas for a third stint. In 2022, he generated 18.2 points per contest in five games.

Impressing again this summer could lead to Boston signing Begarin signing a two-way contract.

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