WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- Former Williams College basketball standout Daniel Wohl '15 (La Canada, Calif.) has signed a two-year contract to play professional basketball with Galil Gilboa in Israel.
Serving as a captain in his senior season, Wohl led the Ephs in points (19.7 p/g), rebounds (8.6 ppg), blocks (19), and steals (23). As a result, Wohl was named to the All-NESCAC First Team, NABC All-Northeast Region Second Team, D3Hoops.com All-Northeast Region Second Team, First Team ECAC-New England, and to the Capital One Academic All-America Third Team. Wohl finished his Williams career with 1,278 points, good enough for 14th on the Ephs' all-time list.
Wohl did not have to travel to any showcases, tryouts, or workouts to get noticed by Galil Gilboa. "My agents promoted me using my highlight tape from my college career, my statistics, and most importantly a few full game videos from the past season," he said.
Galil Gilboa will play the 2015-2016 season in the Israeli National League, Israel's second division, after being relegated from the top division last season when they posted a 9-24 record. Galil Gilboa is one of only five teams to win a championship (2009-10) in Israel's first division, The Israeli Basketball Premier League.
Wohl will not count as one of the two allotted foreign players allowed on each team as he will have secured his Israeli citizenship by the time his inaugural season begins.
"Each team is allowed to have two American players per team," noted Wohl. "And of course, because of my citizenship, I don't count as one of these. Willy Workman from Amherst, Joey Kizel from Middlebury, and Danny Rubin from BC and younger brother of former Williams guard Alex Rubin have all been in this league using the same citizenship advantage that I have. Most of the true American players in Israel are guys who are borderline NBA players or have actually spent time in the NBA."
"Based on discussions with the coach of the team and my agent, my understanding is that the club plans to play me as a small forward," Wohl stated.
Wohl's contract includes a club option for a third year, which can only be excercised if Galil Gilboa is back in the Premier League by then. In addition to being paid by Galil Gilboa, the team will also provide Wohl with an apartment, access to a car, and meals at a local restaurant.
Other recent former NESCAC players who have competed in the Israeli National League include Williy Workman (Amherst) and Joey Kizel (Middlebury). In addition former Eph guard Alex Rubin's young brother Danny from Boston College has competed in the league.
"Daniel has worked extremely hard for this opportunity. He gave everything he had the last four years to Williams basketball and the Williams College community, and now gets to fulfill a lifetime goal. I couldn't be more proud of him. Galil Gilboa is getting themselves a terrific basketball player and young man," said Williams basketball head coach Kevin App. "
You can follow Dan Wohl as he plays professionally in Israel through the following two links: