Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and other leagues. He was born on March 9, 1969, in Gulfport, Mississippi, and grew up in Louisiana. Abdul-Rauf began playing basketball at a young age and quickly developed into a talented player.
Abdul-Rauf played college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1988 to 1990. He was a standout player for the Tigers and was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 1990. After his sophomore year, Abdul-Rauf decided to enter the NBA draft.
Abdul-Rauf was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the third overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft. He played for the Nuggets for six seasons and was known for his scoring ability and his quickness on the court. Abdul-Rauf was also a skilled three-point shooter and was one of the best free-throw shooters in the league.
In the 1993-94 season, Abdul-Rauf had his best year in the NBA. He averaged 19.2 points per game and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Abdul-Rauf also set a record for the most consecutive free throws made in a single season, with 81.
Abdul-Rauf's career took a controversial turn in 1996 when he refused to stand for the national anthem before games. Abdul-Rauf, who had converted to Islam in 1991, believed that the American flag was a symbol of oppression and racism. His decision to sit during the anthem sparked a national debate and led to him being suspended by the NBA for one game.
Abdul-Rauf was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 1996 and played for the team for two seasons. He then played for the Vancouver Grizzlies for one season before leaving the NBA to play overseas. Abdul-Rauf played in several countries, including Turkey, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, before retiring from professional basketball in 2011.
Abdul-Rauf's basketball career was marked by his scoring ability and his controversial decision to sit during the national anthem. Despite the controversy, Abdul-Rauf remains a respected figure in the basketball community and is remembered for his talent on the court.
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