Burstein, Tal

The consummate all-around guard, Burstein has an eye for passing as well as the athletic ability to penetrate into the paint. His rebounding skills are excellent for a guard and he is a persistent defender.

Burtsein helped Maccabi to its second straight Euroleague title on May 8, 2005 in Moscow. The guard was instrumental throughout the final-four tournament held in Moscow. In the semifinal against Panathinaikos, he scored 14 points, scoring 4 out of 6 from inside the three-point line, while making three assists. Tel Aviv won 91-82 to qualify for the final. While receiving less minutes, Burstein was efficient in the final as well with 8 points and two assists.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Feb. 19, 1980

Career Highlights:
Burstein began his professional career with Bnei Hertzelia and was considered the brightest star in the history of the organization. In 1997-98, Tal was voted "Rookie of the Year," having averaged 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. His team finished seventh that year. The following season, Burstein scored 13.5 points per game for Israel in the European Youth Championship. Soon, the teenager was made the squad's starting point guard. He handled the job well, averaging 9.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. However, the team was built on a shoestring budget, which more or less kept them out of first division play. The next season, Burstein acheived similar stats on a team comprised of mediocre talent.

In 2000, Burstein's performance was considered one of the great achievements in Israeli basketball history. He was a starter for the Israeli under-20 side in the European Championships. Israel upset Greece, 80-77, as Burstein bagged 10 points while passing for four assists. He was a substantial contributor to his team's subsequent 73-56 victory over Lithuania, scoring 21 points while taking seven rebounds. Tal scored 17 points in the matches against Turkey and Macedonia respectively, qualifying Israel for the quarterfinal. Israel demolished France in the quarterfinal, 72-55, but expected little from the semifinal against under-20 superpower Spain. The Spaniards had not lost a game in two years while Israel was barely rated in the Euro top ten. Tal scored 11 on the night and led Zion's finest to an overtime victory. Burstein scored 12 points in the final game, but Israel fell to Slovenia, 66-65, in a closely fought battle.

Burstein was quickly signed by Maccabi Tel Aviv, the top team in his country and one of the very best in Europe. As a first-year player in the established club, Tal struggled to find a starting five berth but managed a decent 19.2 minutes per game in his first term. He averaged 7.4 points per game in the 2000-01 season, as Maccabi coasted to the Israeli league and cup "double." Burstein, still a second stringer, also took part in Tel Aviv's historic European Cup victory that year.

The Israel under-20 team's Euro 2000 success saw Israel qualify for the 2001 World Championship in Japan. Israel took 7th place overall while Burstein averaged 10.8 points per game in the tournament. Israel's national team beat Australia, Argentina, Croatia, Japan and South Korea along the way.

In the last couple of seasons Burstein has taken a more active role in Maccabi and is now a regular starter. He helped his team to a second consecutive Israeli "double," scoring 10.4 points per game with a 3.3 rebound per game average in 2001-02. That season, Tal was a starter, averaging 11 points per game. In both years, Tel Aviv enjoyed good runs in Europe, although the squad failed to capture the World Championship.

Tal was the starting point guard for Israel's national team in the 2003 European Championships, scoring 10 points in the opening game, although Israel was defeated by Germany, 86-81. Burstein was less influential in the following match against Lithuania, scoring six points, but Israel was routed by a score of 94-62. In Israel's next game, however, a 91-75 victory over Latvia, Tal scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists.

Israel's defeat of Latvia allowed the team to advance to the second round of the tournament. Against Slovenia, Israel came back from an 18-3 deficit at the start to win, 78-76, thanks to Tal's dramatic last-second winning shot. In the quarterfinals, Israel lost to Spain, 78-64, but then defeated Russia, 89-82, in the seventh-place game. Against the Russian squad, Tal scored 19 points, grabbed four rebounds and had four assists.

On May 1st, 2004, Burstein helped Maccabi to its fourth Euroleague title. The guard was on top form that night scoring 17 points at 70% from the field as Maccabi sailed to a 118-74 victory in the final. He was in the starting five and made 6 assists in the final held in Tel Aviv. He continued his good form on May 6 when Maccabi beat Hapoel Jerusalem 108-85 in the State Cup final. Tal scored 22 points and made 5 assists.

Origin:
Petah Tikva, Israel

Physical description:
6'5"

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