Gal Mekel
Gal Mekel (Hebrew: גל מקל, pronounced [ˈɡal ˈmekel]; born March 4, 1988)[1] is an Israeli former professional basketball player.In 2013, he signed a three-year minimum fully guaranteed contract with the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the second Israeli to join the NBA; he also holds a Polish passport.His ability caught the eyes of basketball giant Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he moved at the age of 17, and subsequently won the 2005–06 Israeli Youth League.[6] For the 2008–09 season, Maccabi Tel Aviv loaned Mekel to Hapoel Gilboa Galil, an Israeli club that is known for promoting young talents, in order to receive some playing experience, and return better the next year.They designated him at the point guard substitute spot, behind the team's newcomer Doron Perkins, who had won the Israeli Super League MVP award in the previous season.[8] Mekel recorded 13 points and 5 assists in his debut game with Maccabi Tel Aviv, against Ironi Nahariya, in the second round of the 2009–10 Israeli Super League.In 2010, Mekel got offers from the Israeli clubs Bnei HaSharon and Maccabi Haifa, but he decided to stay in Galil, signing a one-year contract with them.Haifa got another chance at a title that season, when they reached the Israeli Super league's final, which was held at their home court of Romema Arena.The Greens went on to win the match and the championship, after a great performance from Mekel: 21 points and 7 assists,[16] after which he received the Israeli League MVP award, which he had won a night before.[17] On July 11, 2013, the Dallas Mavericks signed Mekel to a three-year minimum fully guaranteed contract, and he became the second Israeli to join the NBA.[20] In his debut regular season game for the Mavs on October 30, 2013, Mekel recorded 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists in a 118–109 win over the Atlanta Hawks.After the game on January 13, 2014, Mekel was placed on the injured list due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, which required surgery and at least 4–6 weeks of recovery.[41] On October 20, 2019, Mekel recorded a season-high 21 points in 27 minutes, shooting 7-of-13 from the field, along with five assists, leading Reggio Emilia to an 84–72 win over OriOra Pistoia.
Dallas MavericksRamat HaSharonWichita StateNBA draftundraftedPoint guardMaccabi Tel AvivHapoel Gilboa GalilBenetton TrevisoMaccabi Haifa2013–2014Texas LegendsNew Orleans PelicansNizhny NovgorodCrvena zvezdaGran CanariaReggianaMálagaAndorraIsraeli League MVPIsraeli CupIsraeli LeagueIsraeli League Rising StarAll-Israeli League First TeamBasketball ReferenceHebrewbasketballcollege basketballWichita State UniversityIsraeli Super LeagueSerie A LeagueIsraeli Super League MVPPolish passportJewishIsraelAlliance High SchoolTel AvivHapoel Tel AvivA.S. Ramat HaSharonWillie Sims2006–07points per game2007–08 season2008–09 seasonloanedHapoel HolonIsraeli Super League Final FourIsraeli Super League Rising StarDoron PerkinsIroni Nahariya2009–10 Israeli Super LeagueJeremy PargoBnei HaSharonEuroLeague 2010–11 qualifying roundsKK Hemofarm2011 BSL All-Star Game2011–12 LBAItalian LeagueEuroCupUtah JazzIsraeli State CupRomema Arena2013 NBA Summer LeagueAtlanta HawksOmri CasspiMinnesota Timberwolvesmeniscus2014–15 VTB United LeagueCSKA MoscowVTB United LeagueABA LeagueHerbalife Gran Canaria2018 EuroCup Quarterfinals2018 ACB SemifinalsEuroLeagueZenit Saint PetersburgVTB League2019 VTB League SemifinalsGrissin Bon Reggio EmiliaLega Basket Serie AOriOra Pistoiacoronavirus infectionUnicaja MálagaLiga ACBMoraBanc AndorraIsrael national basketball teamEuroBasketField-goal3-point field-goalFree-throwReboundsAssistsStealsBlocksPerformance Index Rating2013–14Dallas2014–15New Orleans2009–10Maccabi2015–162016–172007–08List of European basketball players in the United StatesEurobasket.comEuroLeague.netWichita State ShockersIsraeli Premier LeagueMost Valuable Player AwardHendersonDawsonThirdkillColemanGervinKennedySteinhauerKattashĆurčićMcDonaldHuffmanTapiroMinlendParkerJasikevičiusBowers