Shareef Abdur-Rahim

'95 NBA forward, Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. national basketball team

What is Shareef Abdur-Rahim known for?

Shareef Abdur-Rahim, born on December 11, 1976, in Marietta, Georgia, U.S., is a notable alumnus of Joseph Wheeler High School in Marietta. A former professional basketball player, Shareef had a stellar career as a forward and center, playing for multiple NBA franchises and representing the United States in international tournaments.

Post his high school stint, Abdur-Rahim attended the University of California, where he displayed his basketball prowess during the 1995–96 season as part of the California Golden Bears team. His remarkable tenure caught professional attention and he made a successful entry into the NBA as the 3rd overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies.

Known for his versatile play, Shareef had an illustrious NBA career from 1996 to 2008. He played for various teams including the Grizzlies (1996–2001), Atlanta Hawks (2001–2004), Portland Trail Blazers (2004–2005), and finally the Sacramento Kings (2005–2008). Despite his impressive career statistics, including a total of 15,028 points, 6,239 rebounds, and 2,109 assists, Abdur-Rahim holds the somewhat dubious distinction of having played the second most games in NBA history without making a playoff appearance.

Abdur-Rahim's individual accomplishments are notable. He was an NBA All-Star in 2002 and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1997. At the college level, he was recognized as a third-team All-American in 1996, and garnered accolades such as the Pac-10 Player of the Year and Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, also in 1996.

Shareef's contribution to basketball isn't limited to his time on the court. After retiring, he served as the director of player personnel for the Sacramento Kings, and the general manager of the Reno Bighorns, the Kings' minor-league affiliate. Abdur-Rahim is currently the president of the NBA G League.

In international play, Abdur-Rahim was part of the victorious United States men's national basketball team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, bringing home a gold medal.

For a deeper dive into his basketball career, you can check his stats on the official NBA website or on Basketball-Reference.com.