Gal Mekel to become 2nd Israeli in NBA
Maccabi Haifa point guard gives verbal commitment to Dallas Mavericks that he will sign three-year contract with 2011 champions
Maccabi Haifa point guard Gal Mekel has been all the buzz in sports this past week, as various professional teams have been scouting the 25-year-old Israeli, including the Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks.
Now, Mekel, who recently lead his team to an Israeli championship, is poised to become the second Israeli NBA'er ever, just after – ironically – the news that the first Israeli to do so, Omri Casspi, has decided not extend his $3.3 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Early Monday morning, Mekel gave a verbal commitment to the Dallas Mavericks that he would sign a three-year contract with the 2011 champions on July 10, the end of the annual trade and signing moratorium.
He has agreed to sign a minimum salary contract.
Mekel was named Super League MVP after Maccabi Haifa miraculously defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv, the team to beat.
He played in college for Wichita State from 2006 to 2008, and played four seasons in Israel as a pro.
He displayed exceptional skills during a workout with the Utah Jazz last fall, but was unable to attend training camp due to issues with his visa. It seems, hopefully, that this year will not hold the same problem for him.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life
