Mike McGuirl joined Hapoel Haifa after the war with Hamas broke out and he has no doubt been the most dynamic signing since October 7th to join the Israeli league. The 25-year old guard has been slicing and dicing up the league and has proven to be unstoppable especially when he helped lead the Carmel Reds to a historic victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at Yad Eliyahu.

Now with a game coming up against Hapoel Jerusalem on Friday at the Arena (13:15), McGuirl will be looking to help Guy Goodes’s team continue to improve on their 2-5 record. The Kansas State product has been averaging 24.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 7 games so far this season which is a marked upgrade on first stops as a professional in Denmark and Germany.

To learn more about Mike McGuirl, The Sports Rabbi was in touch with a number of the guard’s former teammates:

Kansas State Teammates:
DaJuan Gordon: Mike is the best teammate I could have, so dedicated to the game. Mike made sure I was always good and if anything was need mike was there for me like a big brother. He is an amazing person & running his own race! His time will come I believe in him.

Rudi Williams: As a person he’s as caring and passionate as anyone I ever met. When I met him I was very raw and young for the level I was at and he gave me all the knowledge possible. As a player he is a complete dog blue collar a real 2 way player 3 level scorer he can fill up the box score while slowing down the opposing teams top guards.

James Love: Mike was one of the best teammates/brothers I played with. Never was a time I didn’t see Mike in the gym, uplifting his teammates and always bought in to the team. He always would make the winning plays that mattered from start to finish.

Levi Stockard: Mike that’s my boy! Best teammate you can ask for. Even though he could never guard me he’s one of the best dudes to be around on and off the court. Can’t speak on how much love I got for Mike. That’s my brother for life!

Kaosi Ezeagu: Great guy and a great leader. Does everything on and off the court. That makes you respect him.

Davion Bradford: Mike has always been a great player and person to play with for the two years I have played and practiced with him. Mike has always been a leader since I have met him on and off the court because he holds his teammates that he considers his brothers accountable for everything. He leads by example through his hard work ethic by all the time and work he puts in to make himself a better player for himself and teammates. On the court, he always want to see people win. It’s like he has always have built a culture inside of him to win at everything. He also carry himself as a pro. He eats healthy, go to sleep early, he take cares of himself. Lastly, he is a great and loving person. We actually started texting each other recently just to check up on each other even though we haven’t seen each other in the last two/three years. I’ve always looked up to him because he is an inspiring person.

Næstved Teammate Thik Bol: Mike is a great guy, a harder worker. He was always one of the first guys in the gym and the last one to leave. He’s very focused on his goals and winning. Off the court he’s one of the nicest people you’ll meet. Keeps to himself but also really funny.

Heidelberg Teammate Elias Lasisi: I think he has the body of an NBA player. Very athletic very fast and very skilled. The fit with our team was just not great. Mike is a great 1-1 player and played very good in Denmark but more as a 2-1 combo.