BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb men's basketball announced the signing of guard Shahar Lazar as part of its incoming recruiting class for the 2023-2024 season.

Lazar (Emunim, Israel / Hapoel Tel Aviv Academy) is transferring after a redshirt season at New Mexico State. He is the second signee for head coach Tim Craft and staff this spring.

"Shahar is a skilled guard who fits very well with what we want to do on both ends of the floor," said Craft. "His international experience is significant and will pay dividends for our team next season. We are very excited to add him to the roster."

Lazar signed with New Mexico State after playing for Elitzur Ironi Netanya in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, where he averaged 5.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game on one of the nation's top squads. He was a finalist for the 2022 Israeli Basketball Premier League Defensive Player of the Year award.

He shot 58.3 percent from two-point range and 40.3 percent from three-point range on the season while averaging 17.9 minutes per game. Lazar also shot a solid 71.4 percent from the free throw line on the season.  

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound standout was one of the best prep player in Israel and played for Israel's U18 national team at the 2019 FIBA European Championship – where he poured supplied 9.0 points, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game in helping his country to the title.

During that eight-game tournament, Lazar scored 21 points and dropped off three assists vs. Iceland in just 17 minutes, making 8-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-4 from three-point range. He had 13 points vs. North Macedonia  in a semifinals win and scored 12 points vs. Sweden in a quarterfinals victory. Israel went on to beat Poland, 81-79, in the championship game – where Lazar was an efficient 2-of-3 from the floor with a steal in 11 minutes.

Lazar pulled down seven rebounds and had two steals vs. Luxembourg during the group phase. He shot 42.9 percent from three-point range during the event, 92.9 percent from the free throw line and knocked in 53.2 percent of his shots overall.