The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have won 15 gold medals in the 18 tournaments they have participated in during the past 84 years, while the women have won 8 gold medals in the 10 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 44 years. Those of you who were looking forward to the 2020 Olympics opening ceremonies in Tokyo on July 24, 2020 will have to wait an extra 364 days, as the coronavirus caused a postponement until July 23, 2021. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel decided to fill the void by trying to interview as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible so that you have something to read while waiting for the Summer Games. We continue our coverage by chatting with Shareef Abdur-Rahim about winning a gold medal in 2000 and being named an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award earlier this month.
In 1995 you were named 1st-team Parade All-American: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Vince Carter/Kevin Garnett/Stephon Marbury/other)? They were all good players but Kevin was just at a different maturity standpoint then everyone else. He played the game at a different level and was able to make others better.
In 1996 at Cal you became the 1st freshman in Pac-10 history to be named conference POY after leading the league with 21.1 PPG: how were you able to come in and dominate right from the start? I really surprised myself: I worked hard over the summer to prepare myself but exceeded my expectations. I started fast that season and my coach/teammates just encouraged me to keep going.
In the summer of 1996 you were drafted 3rd overall by Vancouver (2 spots behind Allen Iverson): did you see that as a validation of your college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA, or other? It was just exciting! I had no expectations coming out of high school but felt that I was heading in the right direction to fulfill a distant dream. I was in the right places and tracking toward my goal but did not think it would happen so fast. I really did not have the time back then to slow down and take it all in but it was a lifelong dream. I did not view it as the culmination of anything because I was so young and there was still so much more to do so I felt that I could not rest on that.
You averaged 18.7 PPG as a rookie and finishing 3rd in the ROY voting behind Iverson/Marbury: how were you able to make such a smooth transition from college to the pros? It was not that smooth: it was tough! My team needed me to score so I was put into that situation from the start. I moved to a new country and was forced to grow up very fast in a new culture. In college I had someone guiding/directing me but as a pro it was left up to me. On the court it was challenging but I had a ton of fun there: my individual success was a result of being on a young team.
You won a gold medal with team USA at the 2000 Olympics: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? That felt more cumulative than anything else. Winning an Olympic gold medal was always a dream: I was back on a team with guys like Garnett and Jason Kidd (who also went to Cal). It was a longer process rather than just a single event so the whole experience was exciting: it was a great time.
In November of 2001 you scored a career-high 50 PTS/21-30 FG for Atlanta in a 7-PT win over Detroit: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? Sometimes you just get into a rhythm: it was right around Thanksgiving and my family was there. What also made it special is that we needed all of those points to beat a good Detroit team. I got going early and when your teammates/fans get behind you it is a lot of fun.
In the 2002 All-Star Game you scored 9 PTS for the East in a loss to the West: what was it like to have Michael Jordan as a teammate (in his 1st All-Star appearance back in the league after he retired in 1998)? It was awesome and Michael being there made it special. 1 of the biggest misnomers is that everyone in the NBA is friends: it is hard to spend time with guys on other teams because it is such a transient league but All-Star Weekend is different.
You became president of the G League in 2019: why did you take the job, and what have you been able to accomplish so far? I retired from playing in 2008, finished college, worked in the Kings’ front office, and went to business school. This job brought in all of my different experiences both on and off the court. It was a great opportunity to contribute something to the game that has given me so much.
You have a brother who is head coach at Kennesaw State (Amir) and a son who is a freshman at Virginia (Jabri): who is the best athlete in the family, and who will you cheer for if the Owls ever play the Cavaliers? My younger sister was a really good basketball player and probably the best pure athlete. I love my brother…but would pull for my son to win!
Earlier this month you were named an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award recipient: where does that rank among the highlights of your career? It is a great honor: I did not realize that it has been 25 years because I still feel young! When you see all of the great things that the other honorees did it shows how phenomenal they all are and I am excited to be included in that.