Alaa Abdelnaby
Encyclopedia
Alaa Abdelnaby is a retired Egyptian-American professional basketball
player. He played for Duke University
in college and then played in the NBA and CBA
, among other leagues.
, Egypt
. He was raised in Nutley
and Bloomfield, New Jersey
and played on the Bloomfield High School basketball team.
He was selected as a standout American high school athlete as both a McDonald's All-American and a Parade All-American.
from 1986 to 1990, where he was a Third-Team All-ACC
selection as a senior.
Abdelnaby is perhaps best known for his infamous quote regarding Duke University's academic requirements: "The only way I can make five A's is when I sign my name."
of the National Basketball Association
with the 25th pick of the 1990 NBA Draft
, and he spent five years in the league, playing for Portland as well as the Milwaukee Bucks
, Boston Celtics
, Philadelphia 76ers
, and Sacramento Kings
. He was signed by the Golden State Warriors
but he never played for that franchise.
After leaving the NBA, Abdelnaby also played for the Papagou BC
(Greece) (1995–1996), the Omaha Racers (CBA
) (1996–1997), Olympique Antibes
(France) (1997–1998), and the Idaho Stampede
(CBA) (1999–2000).
| align="left" | 1990–91
| align="left" | Portland
| 43 || 0 || 6.7 || .474 || .000 || .568 || 2.1 || .3 || .1 || .3 || 3.1
|-
| align="left" | 1991–92
| align="left" | Portland
| 71 || 1 || 13.2 || .493 || .000 || .752 || 3.7 || .4 || .4 || .2 || 6.1
|-
| align="left" | 1992–93
| align="left" | Milwaukee
| 12 || 0 || 13.3 || .464 || .000 || .750 || 3.1 || .8 || .2 || .3 || 5.3
|-
| align="left" | 1992–93
| align="left" | Boston
| 63 || 52 || 18.3 || .525 || .000 || .760 || 4.8 || .3 || .3 || .4 || 8.2
|-
| align="left" | 1993–94
| align="left" | Boston
| 13 || 0 || 12.2 || .436 || .000 || .640 || 3.5 || .2 || .2 || .2 || 4.9
|-
| align="left" | 1994–95
| align="left" | Sacramento
| 51 || 0 || 9.3 || .532 || .000 || .571 || 2.1 || .3 || .3 || .2 || 5.0
|-
| align="left" | 1994–95
| align="left" | Philadelphia
| 3 || 0 || 10.0 || .091 || .000 || .000 || 2.7 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 256 || 53 || 12.5 || .502 || .000 || .701 || 3.3 || .3 || .3 || .2 || 5.7
|}
| align="left" | 1990–91
| align="left" | Portland
| 5 || 0 || 2.6 || .333 || .000 || .000 || .6 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .8
|-
| align="left" | 1991–92
| align="left" | Portland
| 8 || 0 || 3.1 || .500 || .000 || .500 || .5 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 1.5
|-
| align="left" | 1992–93
| align="left" | Boston
| 4 || 4 || 17.0 || .458 || .000 || .000 || 3.3 || .3 || .0 || .3 || 5.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 17 || 4 || 6.2 || .450 || .000 || .500 || 1.2 || .2 || .0 || .1 || 2.2
|}
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He played for Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
in college and then played in the NBA and CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
, among other leagues.
Early life
Abdelnaby was born in CairoCairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. He was raised in Nutley
Nutley, New Jersey
2010 Census Data:*TOTAL: 28,370 or 100%*White: 23,405 *African American: 628 *Asian: 2,824 *American Indian and Alaska Native: 36 *Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 4...
and Bloomfield, New Jersey
Bloomfield, New Jersey
Bloomfield is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 47,315. It surrounds the Bloomfield Green Historic District.-History:...
and played on the Bloomfield High School basketball team.
He was selected as a standout American high school athlete as both a McDonald's All-American and a Parade All-American.
College career
He played at Duke UniversityDuke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
from 1986 to 1990, where he was a Third-Team All-ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
selection as a senior.
Abdelnaby is perhaps best known for his infamous quote regarding Duke University's academic requirements: "The only way I can make five A's is when I sign my name."
Professional athletic career
He was selected by the Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
with the 25th pick of the 1990 NBA Draft
1990 NBA Draft
The 1990 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 1990, in New York City, New York. This draft produced only one perennial All-Star,Gary Payton. Among the 54 picks, Payton is considered by far the best pick of the draft. Payton went on to be considered one of the greatest point guards of all time...
, and he spent five years in the league, playing for Portland as well as the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, and Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. He was signed by the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
but he never played for that franchise.
After leaving the NBA, Abdelnaby also played for the Papagou BC
Papagou BC
AS Papagou BC or Papagos Athens BC, commonly known as Papagou BC, is a Greek professional basketball club, founded in the year 1966. The team is located in Papagou, Greece, which is a suburb of the city of Athens. The team's home arena is EAK Papagou, located approximately two miles away from...
(Greece) (1995–1996), the Omaha Racers (CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
) (1996–1997), Olympique Antibes
Olympique Antibes
Olympique Antibes Juan-les-Pins Côte d'Azur, or OAJLP, is a basketball club from the city of Antibes, France. The club's men's senior team currently plays in Pro B, the French second division.-History:...
(France) (1997–1998), and the Idaho Stampede
Idaho Stampede
The Idaho Stampede is an American basketball team that plays in the NBA Development League. The team is based in the Boise, Idaho, area and as of 2005 plays at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise. The team was founded as a member of the Continental Basketball Association in 1997 and was league runner-up...
(CBA) (1999–2000).
Transactions
- 1990, June 27 – First round, 25th pick of the Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
in the 1990 NBA Draft1990 NBA DraftThe 1990 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 1990, in New York City, New York. This draft produced only one perennial All-Star,Gary Payton. Among the 54 picks, Payton is considered by far the best pick of the draft. Payton went on to be considered one of the greatest point guards of all time... - 1992, July 1 – Traded for Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
' rights to Tracy MurrayTracy MurrayTracy Lamonte Murray is a retired American professional basketball player who played for six different NBA franchises and two Greek clubs, with a final stint in France... - 1992, December 4 – Traded for Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
' rights to Jon BarryJon BarryJon Alan Barry is an American former basketball player and current television analyst for ABC and ESPN.-Biography:Barry is the son of Hall of Famer Rick Barry, and has three brothers: Scooter, Drew, and Brent, all of whom are also basketball players. Jon played his high school basketball at De La... - 1994, July 26 – Free agentFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, signed by the Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... - 1995, March 21 – Released by the Sacramento Kings
- 1995, March 24 – Free agent, signed by the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
to a 10-day contract - 1995, April 3 – Re-signed by the Philadelphia 76ers to a second 10-day contract
- 1995, April 12 – Released by the Philadelphia 76ers
- 1995, October 6 – Free agent, signed by the Golden State WarriorsGolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
to a one-year contract - 1995, October 18 – Released by the Golden State Warriors
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 1990–91
| align="left" | Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
| 43 || 0 || 6.7 || .474 || .000 || .568 || 2.1 || .3 || .1 || .3 || 3.1
|-
| align="left" | 1991–92
| align="left" | Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
| 71 || 1 || 13.2 || .493 || .000 || .752 || 3.7 || .4 || .4 || .2 || 6.1
|-
| align="left" | 1992–93
| align="left" | Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
| 12 || 0 || 13.3 || .464 || .000 || .750 || 3.1 || .8 || .2 || .3 || 5.3
|-
| align="left" | 1992–93
| align="left" | Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 63 || 52 || 18.3 || .525 || .000 || .760 || 4.8 || .3 || .3 || .4 || 8.2
|-
| align="left" | 1993–94
| align="left" | Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 13 || 0 || 12.2 || .436 || .000 || .640 || 3.5 || .2 || .2 || .2 || 4.9
|-
| align="left" | 1994–95
| align="left" | Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 51 || 0 || 9.3 || .532 || .000 || .571 || 2.1 || .3 || .3 || .2 || 5.0
|-
| align="left" | 1994–95
| align="left" | Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
| 3 || 0 || 10.0 || .091 || .000 || .000 || 2.7 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 256 || 53 || 12.5 || .502 || .000 || .701 || 3.3 || .3 || .3 || .2 || 5.7
|}
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 1990–91
1991 NBA Playoffs
The 1991 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1990–91 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls winning their first NBA championship via a four-games-to-one victory over the Western Conference champion Los...
| align="left" | Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
| 5 || 0 || 2.6 || .333 || .000 || .000 || .6 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .8
|-
| align="left" | 1991–92
1992 NBA Playoffs
NBA Champions: Chicago BullsThe 1992 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the National Basketball Association's 1991-1992 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls winning their second consecutive NBA championship by defeating the Western...
| align="left" | Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
| 8 || 0 || 3.1 || .500 || .000 || .500 || .5 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 1.5
|-
| align="left" | 1992–93
1993 NBA Playoffs
The 1993 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1992-1993 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls winning their third consecutive championship by defeating the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns four...
| align="left" | Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 4 || 4 || 17.0 || .458 || .000 || .000 || 3.3 || .3 || .0 || .3 || 5.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 17 || 4 || 6.2 || .450 || .000 || .500 || 1.2 || .2 || .0 || .1 || 2.2
|}
External links
- Career statistics @ Basketball-Reference.com
- Career statistics @ dukeupdate.com
- Alaa Abdelnaby, TheDraftReview.com
- Morris, Ron. "Finding the range", Saudi Aramco World, April 1990