​The Celtics’ 2020 NBA Draft pick, ruled ineligible to play college basketball at LSU, was originally reported by NESN. The piece notes that NESN is listed as a preferred source by clicking here. In that draft, the Boston Celtics selected guard Yam Madar with the 47th overall pick in 2020. Six years later, LSU head coach Will Wade was attempting to recruit Madar to join the Tigers’ college program, but that plan did not come to fruition. Insider Jeff Goodman reported that Madar would not be heading to Baton Rouge, and Goodman added on X that being drafted into the NBA hasn’t always barred players from college eligibility recently. He referenced James Nnaji, a former second-round pick who was allowed to play for Baylor last season and is now at George Mason, to illustrate a nuanced landscape around eligibility after turning pro.
Madar’s professional path may have further complicated a potential NCAA return. His most recent club was Hapoel Tel Aviv, a top-tier EuroLeague team in Israel, and his résumé also includes stints with Bayern Munich in Germany, Fenerbahçe in Turkey, and Partizan in Belgrade. In the EuroLeague during the 2025-26 season with Hapoel Tel Aviv, Madar averaged 3.2 points and 1.4 assists per game. He saw more extensive action in the Israeli domestic league, posting averages of 13.2 points and 4.0 assists per game. Despite these contributions, he never established himself as an NBA-caliber player, and for now, a return to college basketball under the NCAA umbrella remains unlikely.
This narrative sits within the broader context of Celtics coverage and the evolving relationship between professional experience and college eligibility. For Celtics enthusiasts, it’s a reminder of how draft outcomes can echo years later in discussions about potential college arrivals and the shifting rules that govern eligibility for players who have pursued professional basketball routes overseas. To stay current with Celtics news and related topics, fans can consult TD Garden guides for game-day information and delve into the team’s complete championship history for a deeper appreciation of the franchise’s legacy.