Gophers senior Jamal Abu-Shamala has an uncle living in Gaza. "I'm named after him ... Jamal," Abu-Shamala said. "He's my dad's older brother."
Subhy Abu-Shamala has attempted to contact his brother to see if family members have survived the latest battle between Israeli troops and Hamas.
"He hasn't been able to reach anyone," Abu-Shamala said. "As I understand it, the communications in Gaza have been taken out."
Subhy's family is of Palestinian descent. "Way back when, his mother told my dad to find a good place to live peacefully," Jamal said. "He was able to come to the United States."
Subhy married Carolyn Kenmore. Jamal was born in 1987. He went to the Middle East on a family trip once -- as a 4-year-old.
Last summer Jamal returned, this time as a member of Jordan's national basketball team. He spent 2 1/2 months practicing with the team in the capital of Amman and playing in various tournaments.
"It was a great experience and hopefully it will open some doors," Abu-Shamala said. "If I had my way, I would play basketball for another 15 years."
Right now, it's the next basketball game -- tonight at Wisconsin -- that matters more to Abu-Shamala than any in which he has ever been involved.