Shareef Abdur-Rahim is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 12 seasons. He was born on December 11, 1976, in Marietta, Georgia, and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played college basketball for two seasons before being drafted into the NBA.
Abdur-Rahim was selected as the third overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He played for the Grizzlies for five seasons, during which he established himself as one of the league's top young players. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1997 and was selected to the NBA All-Star Game in 2002.
In 2001, Abdur-Rahim was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he played for four seasons. He continued to be a productive player, averaging over 20 points per game in his first season with the Hawks. He was also named to the NBA All-Star Game for the second time in 2002.
After his stint with the Hawks, Abdur-Rahim played for the Portland Trail Blazers for two seasons before being traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2005. He played for the Kings for two seasons before retiring from the NBA in 2008.
Throughout his career, Abdur-Rahim was known for his versatility and scoring ability. He was a skilled scorer both inside and outside the paint, and he was also a strong rebounder and defender. He finished his NBA career with averages of 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
After retiring from the NBA, Abdur-Rahim remained involved in basketball. He served as the assistant general manager for the Sacramento Kings from 2008 to 2011 and was then named the general manager of the Reno Bighorns, the Kings' NBA Development League affiliate. In 2013, he was named the director of player personnel for the Kings.
Abdur-Rahim's basketball career was not without its challenges. He suffered a number of injuries throughout his career, including a torn meniscus in his knee that required surgery in 2007. He also struggled with the stigma of being a high draft pick on a struggling team, as the Grizzlies were one of the worst teams in the league during his time there.
Despite these challenges, Abdur-Rahim is remembered as one of the most talented and versatile players of his era. He was a skilled scorer, a strong rebounder, and a tenacious defender, and he was a key player on several successful teams throughout his career.
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