Gal Mekel. Credit: Pkantz via Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – The New Orleans Pelicans signed point guard Gal Mekel, who last season became the second Israeli-born player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Mekel had initially agreed to sign with the Indiana Pacers last month, but the deal fell apart due to a visa issue. Last season, Mekel appeared in 31 games for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 2.4 points and 2.0 assists per contest. In his first two games with the Pelicans on Saturday and Sunday, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 5.0 assists in 11.5 minutes per game.

The NBA’s other Israeli player, 6-foot-9 forward Omri Casspi, is averaging 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this season with the Sacramento Kings.