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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 646

Gal Mekel

Indiana Pacers player T.J. Leaf's father also played for the Pacers before moving to Israel, where T.J. was born. (Courtesy)
April 29, 2018, 9:44 am
A day before turning 21, T.J. Leaf becomes first Israeli in NBA playoffs
Third national to play in top basketball league goes on court for 3 minutes in Pacers’ win against Cavaliers
By Michael Bachner
Illustrative: Italy's power forward Nicolo Melli (R) dribbles past Israel's small forward Omri Casspi (L) during the FIBA EuroBasket match between Italy and Israel at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on August 31, 2017. (AFP Photo/Jack Guez)
September 6, 2017, 11:53 pm
Israel finishes last in group stage of EuroBasket after thrashing by Ukraine
Despite local basketball fans’ high hopes going into tournament, blue and whites unable to turn home court advantage into wins
By ToI Staff
T.J. Leaf reacts after being drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP)
June 23, 2017, 9:42 am
Israel-born T.J. Leaf drafted by NBA’s Pacers in first round
UCLA power forward, whose father played 17 years for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Galil, picked 18th by Indiana, becoming third Israeli to join league
By ToI Staff
Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi drives to the basket between Minnesota Timberwolves players during the second half of an NBA game in Sacramento, California, on April 7, 2015. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)
February 17, 2016, 12:04 pm
Israel’s first NBA player Omri Casspi having breakout season
Forward has been averaging career highs in points and rebounds, as millions of fans at home country cheer him on
By Aron Heller
Israel's Gal Mekel (center) takes a shot during the Group A qualifying basketball match between Poland and Israel at the EuroBasket 2015 in Montpellier, France, on September 9, 2015. (AFP/Sylvain Thomas)
September 9, 2015, 10:46 pm
Israel progresses in EuroBasket 2015 with win over Poland
National team ensures place in final 16 after narrow 75:73 victory; also beat Russia and Finland in group stage
By ToI Staff
Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)
December 21, 2014, 8:39 pm
Mekel released by NBA’s Pelicans
Journeyman Israeli basketball player, who took part in four games, averaged 1.5 points and 3.3 assists
By JTA
Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)
December 7, 2014, 10:19 pm
Israeli cager Mekel signs with Pelicans
Point guard inks contract in New Orleans after losing previous opportunity over visa-related issue
By ToI Staff
Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)
November 13, 2014, 2:08 am
Israeli NBA star bounced by visa
Gal Mekel was set to join Indiana Pacers, but the paperwork took 24 hours too long
By JTA
Trainer David Thorpe is flanked by two of his pupils -- Israelis Gal Mekel, left, and Omri Casspi, both playing in the NBA. (Courtesy David Thorpe/JTA)
October 25, 2014, 12:27 am
Hoops guru connects Israeli players to potential
Florida-based trainer David Thorpe is a major key in the success of NBA players Omri Casspi and Gal Mekel
By Hillel Kuttler
Lebron James sings the national anthem prior to the start of a team USA exhibition game against the Dominican Republic, July 12, 2012, at the Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
October 3, 2014, 4:33 am
LeBron, Blatt’s NBA debut make Maccabi TA a sideshow against Cavs
Israeli club on Sunday to face 4-time MVP — and the ex-coach who led team to win European and Israeli championships
By Hillel Kuttler
Gal Mekel and his longtime girlfriend, Danyelle Sims, at a Renuar event (Courtesy Renuar)
September 16, 2014, 4:37 pm
Mekel, the maverick model
Hoopster tries on sweaters for Renuar’s fall catalog
By Jessica Steinberg
Gal Mekel, shown on defense during a preseason game in October 2013, is hoping to become a starter for Dallas following knee surgery that curtailed his rookie season. (photo credit: Hillel Kuttler)
June 27, 2014, 6:15 am
Can Gal Mekel make his point in Dallas?
After enduring knee injury that curtailed his rookie season, Israeli basketballer returns to US arena
By Hillel Kuttler
Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)
March 31, 2014, 7:26 pm
NBA’s Gal Mekel battles back after knee injury
Optimistic of a full recovery, the second Israeli in the league joins a record-breaking 92 international players from 39 countries
By Howard Blas
Israelis Omri Casspi, left, of the Houston Rockets and Gal Mekel of the Dallas Mavericks sharing a friendly moment at the Toyota Center in Houston before their teams squared off in a preseason game, Oct. 21, 2013. (Hillel Kuttler)
November 2, 2013, 7:42 pm
In first, Israeli NBA ballers Casspi, Mekel face off
Houston Rockets beat Dallas Mavericks 113-105 in first game between Israel’s two professional basketball players in US league
By ToI Staff and JTA
Double chai. Omri Casspi in the locker room before Wednesday's game. (Photo credit: Howard Blas, Times of Israel)
July 7, 2013, 1:43 am
Omri Casspi to play for Houston
After two frustrating years in Cleveland, forward will hope to start fresh with a two-year, $2 million deal
By Raphael Gellar
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