Jamal Abu-Shamala

Professional Basketball Player

What is Jamal Abu-Shamala known for?

Jamal Abu-Shamala, a Palestinian-American professional basketball player, was born on July 25, 1987 in Shakopee, Minnesota. As a student of Shakopee High School, he set the foundations of a promising sports career, later attending the University of Minnesota where he played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers from 2005 to 2009.

Despite remaining undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, Abu-Shamala didn't lose his determination. He played in the NBA Development League for the Sioux Falls Skyforce during the 2010-11 season. His career took an international turn in 2008, when he started representing the Jordanian national team. He later joined the Palestine national team in 2011, further continuing his international representation.

While in college, Abu-Shamala started as a walk-on but earned a scholarship after demonstrating his skills in 30 games, starting 10 of them in his freshman year (2005-06). His sophomore year was his peak statistically, as he started 21 out of 31 games, averaged 6.5 points per game, and made 44 out of 102 three-point attempts. Overall, he finished his college career with 128 games played, 62 starts, 592 points, 270 rebounds, and impressive field goal (43.2%) and three-point field goal (40.1%) percentages. As a testament to his performances, he was ranked seventh all-time at Minnesota for his career three-point field percentage and was named the University of Minnesota's male recipient of the Outstanding Student-Athlete Award in 2009.

Despite beginning his international career with the Jordanian national team, Abu-Shamala's allegiance shifted to the Palestine team. He played his first game for Palestine at the 2011 Pan Arab Games. Throughout his international career, he has contributed significantly to the teams he has played for, including the winning of the William Jones Cup with Jordan.

Off the court, Jamal Abu-Shamala is a product of multicultural heritage, born to a Palestinian father and an American mother. His father migrated to the United States from Gaza when he was 21 years old. This rich cultural background undoubtedly influenced Jamal's life and sport career, adding an interesting layer to his personal story.

Further reading:
1. Profile at Arab Games 2011
2. Interview with The Daily Gopher
3. Interview with the Institute for Palestine Studies