Abdul Jeelani
Encyclopedia
Abdul Qadir Jeelani is a retired American
professional basketball
player. He was a 6'8" and 210 lb small forward
and played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. He had a brief career in the National Basketball Association
(NBA).
Jeelani is University of Wisconsin–Parkside's career leader in points scored (2,262) and rebounds (1,237) and he holds records in the top four of seven other single-game, single-season and career statistical categories. He twice scored 47 points in a game, one of the top records for a single game scoring performance. He was a member of two NAIA
National Tournament teams in 1974 and 1975 and was named an NAIA All-American in 1975 and 1976.
Jeelani was signed by the NBA's Detroit Pistons
on September 2, 1977 but was waived a month later, prior to the start of the 1977-78 season
. He played one season with the Portland Trail Blazers
in 1979–80 and was made available in the expansion draft
on May 28, 1980, where he was taken by the Dallas Mavericks
prior to their inaugural season in 1980–81. He was part of the starting lineup
for the Mavericks' first NBA game in 1980 and scored the first points in franchise history. In his first season with the Mavs, he seemed to have a knack for scoring in the final quarter of games. As of January 20, 1981, when he had played 43 games, 142 of his 350 points had come in the last period.
Jeelani also had a career overseas playing in Italy and Spain.
He attended Washington Park High School
in Racine, Wisconsin
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
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 was a 6'8" and 210 lb small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
and played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. He had a brief career in 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...
(NBA).
Jeelani is University of Wisconsin–Parkside's career leader in points scored (2,262) and rebounds (1,237) and he holds records in the top four of seven other single-game, single-season and career statistical categories. He twice scored 47 points in a game, one of the top records for a single game scoring performance. He was a member of two NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
National Tournament teams in 1974 and 1975 and was named an NAIA All-American in 1975 and 1976.
Jeelani was signed by the NBA's Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
on September 2, 1977 but was waived a month later, prior to the start of the 1977-78 season
1977-78 NBA season
The 1977–78 NBA season was the 32nd season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Washington Bullets winning the NBA Championship, beating the Seattle SuperSonics 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
. He played one season with the Portland Trail Blazers
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...
in 1979–80 and was made available in the expansion draft
Expansion draft
An expansion draft, in professional sports, occurs when a sports league decides to create one or more new expansion teams or franchises. This occurs mainly in North American sports. One of the ways of stocking the new team or teams is an expansion draft...
on May 28, 1980, where he was taken by the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
prior to their inaugural season in 1980–81. He was part of the starting lineup
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
for the Mavericks' first NBA game in 1980 and scored the first points in franchise history. In his first season with the Mavs, he seemed to have a knack for scoring in the final quarter of games. As of January 20, 1981, when he had played 43 games, 142 of his 350 points had come in the last period.
Jeelani also had a career overseas playing in Italy and Spain.
He attended Washington Park High School
Washington Park High School
Washington Park High School is a public, four-year high school in Racine, Wisconsin with an enrollment of over 2,400 students. Its school colors are blue and orange...
in Racine, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
.
External links
- NBA stats at basketballreference.com
- Photo of Abdul Jeelani playing for the Dallas Mavericks at mavswiki.com
