From Israel to Boulder: Freshman Alon Michaeli's transition to America

Colorado Buffaloes forward Alon Michaeli listening to coaches at preseason practice. The freshman has a lot to learn before the season starts on Nov. 3. (Photo by Oliver Hayes/Sko Buffs Sports).

The tattoo of two hoopers etched on the back of Alon Michaeli’s right arm symbolizes much more than the sport of basketball. 

To him, the illustration of him and his older brother, Yuval Michaeli, is a symbol of family.

Now, living approximately 7,000 miles away from his hometown, Kfar Sava, Israel, that emblem has an even deeper meaning. 

The 19-year-old freshman was the last Buffalo to join the Colorado men’s basketball roster for the upcoming season, signing on Aug. 21.

Michaeli started learning basketball from his brother at the age of 5. His ink pictures his brother teaching him how to shoot a ball on the court they grew up playing on. 

“I started playing basketball because of my brother,” Michaeli told Sko Buffs Sports. “I learned a lot from him about things that I need to get better on and off the court, like how to act as a professional.”

Michaeli describes his brother as one of his biggest role models.

“My brother is one of the closest people that I have in my life,” Michaeli continued. “ He’s a role model for me. Always trying to learn a lot from him.”

The tattoo also connects Michaeli with his older sister, who is the tattoo artist responsible for the ink on his arm. 

Amongst being away from his family, Michaeli has countless other transitions to make, from living in a new country to integrating into a new basketball team. Luckily for him, Michaeli has been to America once before, a trip to New York when he was 9. 

“I’ve been here for like, six weeks. It’s kind of weird,” Michaeli said. “It’s very different from what I’m used to, different country, different environment, different people, just everything.”

Michaeli’s main support system is the people he’s around almost every day. 

“I feel welcome from my teammates and coaches, so that makes the transition way easier for me,” Michaeli said.

Unlike most college athletes who are living in apartments together, Michaeli is living by himself for the first time. 

“I feel like it’s good for me to deal with this,” Michaeli said. “It’s fine, living on my own for the first time. It’s nice.” 

Living on his own is one of many things that sets Michaeli apart from other freshmen, who live together. For starters, he turns 20 in November, making him almost a year older than the other players in his class. Being older gives him more experience, but so does playing professional ball. 

Michaeli joins Leonardo Van Elswyk as the only two freshmen to play professionally and internationally in another country. Van Elswyk played for two years on Olimpia EA7 Milano U18 in Italy and was the U16 Italian National team. 

The 6-foot-9-inch big man played center in Israel, but height differences in college basketball could see him transitioning to the power forward position. Michaeli played two seasons for the team Bnei Herzliya in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, the highest league in the country, and for the U20 Israel National team.

In his final season in Israel, Michaeli played in 26 games, averaging only two attempted field goals in eight minutes per game, factoring in his decision to play in America. 

“College basketball became the goal for me at the beginning of last season,” Michaeli said. “I wasn’t getting that much playing time, so I felt college was the best opportunity for me.” 

Arguably, Michaeli’s best basketball performance was for Israel’s National team in the 2025 U20 FIBA EuroBasket. The center helped his team finish first in the group phase, leading Israel in points per game (17.3) and rebounds per game (7.6) in their seven games. Despite winning their group, Israel was knocked out by Italy in the quarterfinals. 

Michaeli aspires to continue playing for Israel. 

“That’s one of my biggest dreams, to play for the Israel National team,” Michaeli said. “The pro team is just a dream for me that I have had since a young age.”

The Buffaloes finished last in the Big 12 last year, winning only three conference games. The team lost 11 players at the end of the season, forcing head coach Tad Boyle and his staff to bring in nine new faces. Michaeli missed the whole offseason, including a trip Down Under that featured a game against Australia's National team, the Boomers. 

Michaeli still has a lot of work to catch up, but Boyle trusts the process. 

“With Alon, you just start from scratch,” Boyle said. “A lot of extra work with him in the film room… He’s a smart player, a physical player. He’s going to help us this year.”

Michaeli and the Buffs have about three weeks before starting the regular season at home against Montana State on Monday, Nov. 3.