Name: Michaeli brings professional presence to CU basketball
Uploaded: 2026-01-12T16:30:03.111Z
Duration: 3 min 54 s
Description: Alon Michaeli traveled 7,000 miles from Israel to Boulder, seeking a future on the basketball court.

Alon Michaeli traveled 7,000 miles from Israel to Boulder, seeking a future on the basketball court.

Boulder

Alon Mikaeli, a freshman from Israel, has joined the University of Colorado Buffaloes basketball team, bringing with him professional experience from Israel's top league. Mikaeli's adjustment to life in Boulder is aided by strong family support, despite the nine-hour time difference, and the camaraderie of his teammates.

Coach Tad Boyle and teammates highlight Mikaeli's toughness, quiet leadership, and positive influence on the team. While Mikaeli continues to adapt to American culture, his potential on the basketball court is evident, and he is seen as a valuable asset to the Buffaloes' successful start to the season.

Michaeli brings professional presence to CU basketball

All right, every week we work to highlight the very best stories from our local sports community. And tonight we take you to Boulder for a story that is really 7,000 miles in the making. The Buffs basketball team off to a good start this season, thanks in large part to what Coach Tad Boyle calls the best bench in the nation. Nick Rothschild introduces us to one of those star subs in this week's View From the Top. A lot of kids leave home to go to college, but alone Mikaeli had never even lived outside of his parents' house before leaving his native Israel to come play basketball in Boulder. That decision is proving to be a good one as he settles in and shows out for the Buffaloes. I'm using FaceTime a lot, like FaceTime on WhatsApp. It's the middle of the night in Farsava on the western coast of Israel. In one home the lights are on and the sound of Mark Johnson's voice rings out. My family is waking up in the middle of the night, especially my dad and my older brother. Sometimes, for example, the game yesterday was at 4 a.m. in Israel. I appreciate it a lot that they're waking up those hours to watch me play. It's a really fun feeling. Despite the nine-hour time difference, family comes first. It's written on Alon's skin. Tattoos designed by his sister depicting his basketball journey alongside his brother. Yeah, it can be hard, but obviously I've got some good people around me here, so it makes it a lot easier for me. Good people, like junior Barrington Hargris. I'm alone. I've stayed in a couple of rooms with him, so that's my guy. He's quiet, he's quiet for sure, but you know, when he gets in a game, he gets out there. Since you've roomed with him, can you give me a little insight into the personality behind the ball player? I mean, yeah, what you see is kind of what you get as far as the quiet side. I can get him out of it a little bit, like a little conversation and all, but he's really cool. We just chill, watch TV. You know those people that are quiet, but as soon as they say something, it means a lot. That's the type of guy he is. He's also 20 years old with professional basketball experience. Before coming to see you, Mikaeli played in Israel's top league, which was a major blessing and a minor curse. You know, he's practicing with grown men, so the practice habits that those kind of professionals have are not the practice habits you need for a college basketball team. So it was a little bit of a shock to him when he got here, like the intensity we have in practice. You know, the good news is he's not intimidated by anybody or anything, but he's also brought that toughness, that ruggedness, and a lot of that comes from his personal background, what he's had to go through in his life, his upbringing. But he's a wonderful young man, and he brings a lot to this team. For sure, I feel it's preferred me a lot. I played with a lot of great players. I learned a lot, and I feel like it's helped me. Still adjusting to his new life, the potential is obvious, and the future is bright for this freshman Buffalo. He has a lot of room to grow and a lot of things that he's still learning, so the sky's the limit for him, for sure. McAiley tells me a lot of American culture still eludes him, but on the basketball court, he's right at home. That's this week's View From the Top. For Denver 7 Sports, I'm Nick Rothschild. All right, great story, Nick. Thanks. That's all for now. Denver 7 News will be right back after this break.

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