4 Gal Mekel G 1.91 5 Raviv Limonad G 1.91 6 Derrick Sharp G 1.83 7 Andrew Wisniewski G 1.90 8 Doron Perkins G 1.89 9 Yaniv Green C 2.06 10 Guy Pnini F 2.01 11 Alan Anderson F 1.98 12 Stephane Lasme F 2.03 13 Chuck Eidson G 2.02 14 Maciej Lampe C 2.11 15 David Bluthenthal F 2.01 21 D'or Fisher C 2.11 Head Coach: Pini Gershon

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv is long established as a European basketball dynasty, so its standing as a preseason challenger to any title is almost a given. This year, Maccabi will be focused on bouncing back from its worst Euroleague performance in a decade after failing to reach the Euroleague Quarterfinal Playoffs last season. On the flip side, the club starts the season with legendary coach Pini Gershon on the sidelines. And every time Gershon has been on Maccabi's bench to start a season, the Israeli powerhouse went all the way to the European championship game. Maccabi restocked over the summer, giving Gershon eight new faces plus veteran shooter David Bluthenthal, who had won the 2004 Euroleague crown with the club under Gershon. The first-timers to wear Maccabi's famous yellow uniform include do-it-all forward Chuck Eidson, last season's Eurocup MVP; dynamic scorer Alan Anderson, defensive ace Stephane Lasme, low-post presence Maciej Lampe, feisty swingman Guy Pnini and playmakers Andrew Wisniewski, Doron Perkins and young Gal Mekel. That assortment of talents gives Gershon plenty to work with. They are in addition to captain and three-time European champion Derrick Sharp, veteran Yaniv Green, combo guard Raviv Limonad and big man D’Or Fischer, who was a revelation last season until his Euroleague debut was cut short by injury. So many new faces pose a challenge, but with so much talent under Gershon's baton, this deep squad gives countless reasons for fans in Tel Aviv to expect big things from Maccabi again.



Eidson could be the focal point of the backcourt. A savvy player with past experience in the Euroleague, he is coming off a career season in which he led Lietuvos Rytas to the Eurocup title plus four other crowns to boot. Eidson can play all three perimeter positions, a fact that makes the Maccabi backcourt altogether more dangerous. Anderson is an ideal compliment to Eidson as a scorer who can create for himself and others and knock down shots from any range. Pnini will get his first taste of the Euroleague as the reserve small forward, brining a fearless attitude that that helps him excel on defense and inspires teammates. Wisniewski and Perkins figure to see most of the time at point guard. The veteran Wisniewski is a traditional floor general who is apt at running plays and knocking down his own shots. Perkins, last season’s Israeli League MVP, steps up to the Euroleague for the first time, bringing a combination of speed, ball-handling, scoring ability and charisma that has allowed him to succeed at every stop in his career. Mekel could be the next in a long line of great home-grown guards at Maccabi. Despite his age, Mekel’s poise and talents could take him and Maccabi a long way. The captain, Sharp, will be there when needed for his leadership, defensive smarts and three-point shooting. Limonad gives the club even more options as a selfless player with past Euroleague experience who can play both guard spots.

The frontcourt has undergone some changes, but threatens to be great. Bluthenthal brings one of the most accurate long-distance shots in the competition plus a history of winning with Maccabi. Able to play both forward spots, Gershon can place Bluthenthal at power forward for a smaller lineup of keep him at small forward for a bigger look. Fischer returns after a splendid debut in which he damaged opponents with his mid-range shooting, rebounding and shot-blocking. In fact, he would have led the league in field goal shooting and rebounding, been second in blocks and third in scoring for the season if he had played enough games to qualify. Fischer’s ability to play both power forward and center and to mesh well with those around him works out well for Lampe and Lasme. Lampe has a classic low post game and is dangerous whenever he touches the ball near the basket due to his array of moves and his passing ability. Back in the Euroleague after several years away, Lasme will be eager to start winning. Lasme, a year removed from a spectacular Euroleague debut season, boasts incredible athleticism that results in heart-stopping blocks and slams. He led the Euroleague in offensive rebounding and placed third in blocks. Lasme’s speed also means that he can guard elite small forwards as well. The powerful Green is a rebounding force and an aggressive center who makes the most of his opportunities. Maccabi starts the season with one of its deepest rosters ever and the goal is clear: Final Four in Paris or bust!

GAL MEKEL, GUARD Gal Mekel is the next bright young guard to play for Maccabi Electra and if he has anything to say about it, he’ll be in the mix right away. A product of the Maccabi youth setup, Mekel spent several years away from the club, but is now ready to step up and leave his mark. Mekel, 21, was a star in the Israeli junior leagues as a teenager, leading Maccabi to back-to-back junior titles when he was in high school. People needed to stand up and take notice on the European level as well when he placed among the top scorers at the Under-16 and U-18 European Championships. Following that success, Mekel decided to take his game overseas and spent two seasons playing college basketball for Wichita State University. Upon returning, Mekel signed a multi-year deal with Maccabi, but went on loan first to Gilboa/Galil Elyon. Playing under legendary Israeli guard and former Maccabi star Oded Kattash, Mekel blossomed throughout the season en route to becoming the team’s main attraction by the playoffs. In fact, Mekel led the team in assists and was its runner-up in scoring in the playoffs, while more than doubling his index ranking from the regular season as Galil finished the season ranked third in Israel. Mekel’s confidence continued to grow over the summer when he made his debut for the senior national team and had a strong showing at EuroBasket 2009. Now the Mekel show returns to Tel Aviv where he will look to affix his name to a long list of great Maccabi guards. His impressive mix of court-vision, shooting range and chutzpah gives Mekel the tools needed to be a big time player and his poise helps him run the show as a point guard for a team aiming to win it all. Don’t be surprised if head coach Pini Gershon turns Mekel into one of his aces as he guides Maccabi to lofty goals.