Mavericks` Israeli rookie Mekel out after knee surgery

Miami: Dallas Mavericks point guard Gal Mekel, an NBA rookie from Israel, underwent arthroscopic surgery on Friday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, the team announced.

There is no timetable for the return of the two-time Most Valuable Player of the Israeli League, who signed with the Mavericks last July to become only the second Israeli player in the NBA. Mekel led Maccabi Haifa to the Israeli League championship last season after playing the 2011-2012 season for Treviso in the Italian league. He also played two US collegiate seasons for Wichita State University from 2006-2008. Mekel, 25, has played in 30 games this season, averaging 2.4 points and 2.1 assists. The Mavericks are 23-17, eighth in the NBA Western Conference and 8.5 games behind San Antonio in the Southwest division.