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Nathan Mensah’s Escape: from NBA Hopeful to Tel Aviv Bomb Shelter
Nathan Mensah, a former San Diego State standout and NBA hopeful, found himself in a real-life nightmare on a Thursday night in Tel Aviv, Israel, as missile attacks rained down on the city. The 6-foot-10 basketball player, who had recently joined Maccabi Tel Aviv, was forced to confront the harsh realities of the Israel-Iran conflict [[3]], leading to a rapid change in his career trajectory.
From “Bombs Away” to Bomb Shelters: Mensah’s Terrifying Night
On June 12, 2025, Mensah was in his 21st-floor apartment, engrossed in a boxing video game, when flashes of light caught his attention. Initially oblivious due to his headphones, he soon realized that missiles were streaking across the sky, with Israel’s Iron Dome intercepting manny, but one detonating nearby [[1]].”it was scary,it puts you on edge,” Mensah recalled.
Did You Know? The Iron Dome is an all-weather air defense system developed by Israel to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells.
The events of that night were triggered by a surprise Israeli attack on Iranian military and nuclear sites, which prompted Iran to retaliate with missile strikes aimed at Tel Aviv [[2]].Airports were immediately shut down, and passenger jets were moved to safety.
The Descent and the Exodus
After filming the initial barrage of Iranian Shabab-3 ballistic missiles, Mensah’s survival instincts kicked in. He sprinted down 21 flights of stairs to avoid being trapped in an elevator should the power fail. The following days were spent in bomb shelters, with the team eventually busing its foreign players to Jordan for evacuation.
The 100-mile trip to Queen Alia International Airport outside Amman took five hours. After an eight-hour wait, Mensah secured a seat on a Royal Jordanian flight to Detroit, enduring a 12½-hour flight in economy class before finally making his way back to San Diego.
Back to basketball, But Not in Israel
Upon his return, Mensah immediately joined a Swish Pro-Am summer league game. Meanwhile, the Israeli league canceled the remainder of its championship series. Mensah, initially planning to return to Maccabi Tel Aviv, changed his mind. The club announced their parting of ways, and Mensah is now set to rejoin the San Antonio Spurs for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, hoping for another training camp invitation.
Pro Tip: NBA Summer League is an chance for young players and free agents to showcase their skills and compete for a spot on an NBA roster.
From Ukraine to Israel: Echoes of Evacuation
Mensah’s experience mirrors that of Winston Shepard, another San Diego State alum who was evacuated from Odessa, Ukraine, in February 2022 when the Russian invasion began. Shepard’s story of leaving behind material possessions resonated with mensah as he packed a single bag and left everything else behind in tel Aviv.
Mensah’s Future and the Allure of Stability
While open to another shot at Euroleague basketball, Mensah has made it clear to his agent that he prioritizes stability. “I just want to go to a more stable country,” he stated.
| Timeframe | Team/League | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | San Diego state | Led team to national championship game | Signed with Charlotte Hornets |
| Fall 2024 | San Antonio Spurs/G League | Training camp, injury | Sent to G League affiliate in Austin |
| December 2024 | Olympiacos (Euroleague) | Injury replacement | Limited playing time, bumped from roster |
