Nazr Tahiru Mohammed (/ˈnɑːzi/ NAH-zee; born September 5, 1977)[1] is an American former professional basketball player who had a journeyman career in the National Basketball Association (NBA), playing for eight different teams over 18 seasons. He is the current general manager of the Oklahoma City Blue and a pro scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder.[2] He played college basketball for Kentucky.
 Mohammed during his first tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder | |
| Oklahoma City Blue | |
|---|---|
| Position | General Manager |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 5, 1977 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Kenwood Academy (Chicago, Illinois) |
| College | Kentucky (1995–1998) |
| NBA draft | 1998: 1st round, 29th overall pick |
| Selected by the Utah Jazz | |
| Playing career | 1998–2015, 2016 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 14, 2, 13, 6, 8, 48 |
| Career history | |
| 1998–2001 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2001–2004 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2004–2005 | New York Knicks |
| 2005–2006 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2006–2007 | Detroit Pistons |
| 2007–2011 | Charlotte Bobcats |
| 2011–2012 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2012–2015 | Chicago Bulls |
| 2016 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 5,827 (5.8 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 4,708 (4.7 rpg) |
| Blocks | 639 (0.6 bpg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Early life
editThe son of Alhaji Muhammad, an entrepreneur from Ghana, Mohammed was raised in Chicago and attended high school at Kenwood Academy, graduating in 1995. Mohammed entered the University of Kentucky in the fall of 1995 at a hefty 315 pounds, and saw little playing time during their NCAA Championship season. After slimming down for his sophomore year, Mohammed shared the starting center spot with Jamaal Magloire and was a key contributor in 1997, when the Wildcats were runners-up to Arizona. Mohammed once again shared the starting post position with Magloire in 1998, and once again they brought the NCAA Championship home to Kentucky, for the second time in three years.[1]
Professional career
editPhiladelphia 76ers (1998–2001)
editAfter his junior year, Mohammed decided to enter the 1998 NBA draft. He was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round, as the 29th pick overall. Utah traded his rights to the Philadelphia 76ers for a future first-round pick, which turned out to be Quincy Lewis in the 1999 NBA draft.[3] He spent two and a half seasons in Philadelphia before being traded in February 2001 to the Atlanta Hawks along with an injured Theo Ratliff in exchange for Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutombo.[4]
Atlanta Hawks (2001–2004)
editOn November 5, 2001, he scored a career-high 30 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.[5] He played for the Hawks through the middle of the 2003–04 season, at which point he was traded to the New York Knicks for Michael Doleac.[6]
New York Knicks (2004–2005)
editMohammed spent half of the 2004–05 season with the Knicks.
San Antonio Spurs (2005–2006)
editHe played for the San Antonio Spurs (who acquired him in a trade for Malik Rose), for the second half of the 2004-05 NBA season.[7] In a combined 77 games for both teams, he averaged 9.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.[8] He won his first and only championship in 2005 with the Spurs as a member of their starting lineup.[9]
During his second season in San Antonio, Mohammed shared the starting center position with Rasho Nesterović, averaging 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game during the regular season.[10] On March 17, 2006, he tied his career-high of 30 points against the Phoenix Suns.[11] He was a key contributor to the team's first round series victory over the Sacramento Kings, averaging 7.0 points per game and nailing his second career three-point basket late in Game 1.[12] Mohammed, however, played sparingly in the team's second round series loss to the Dallas Mavericks. After the season, he turned down a four-year contract extension and did not return to the Spurs.
Detroit Pistons (2006–2007)
editIn July 2006, he signed with the Detroit Pistons and became their starting center.[13] After beginning the season in the starting five, the arrival of Chris Webber on January 16, 2007 made him gradually fall out of the team's rotation, the culmination being his 5 minutes in two postseason contests. He averaged 5.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in 51 games (33 starts), with about 15 minutes of action per game.[14]
Charlotte Bobcats (2007–2011)
editMohammed was traded from the Pistons to the Charlotte Bobcats on December 14, 2007, in exchange for Primož Brezec and Walter Herrmann.[15]
Oklahoma City Thunder (2011–2012)
editOn February 24, 2011, Mohammed was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, while forward D. J. White and guard Morris Peterson were sent to the Charlotte Bobcats.[16] He reached the 2012 NBA Finals with the Thunder, but the team lost to the Miami Heat 4 games to 1.[17]
Chicago Bulls (2012–2015)
editOn July 27, 2012, Mohammed signed with his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls.[18] On May 10, 2013, he was involved in an altercation with LeBron James in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. James was called for a technical foul for tying up with Mohammed in transition; Mohammed retaliated by shoving James which required James to sue Mohammed.[19]
On July 11, 2013, Mohammed re-signed with the Bulls.[20] On September 22, 2014, he again re-signed with the Bulls.[21]
On August 1, 2015, Mohammed played for Team Africa at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game.[22] On October 9, 2015, he retired from the NBA.[23]
Return to Oklahoma City (2016)
editIn March 2016, Mohammed came out of retirement in order to return to the NBA.[24] On March 5, he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, returning to the franchise for a second stint.[25][26] Four days later, he made his season debut in a 120–108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[27]
NBA career statistics
edit| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won an NBA championship |
Regular season
edit| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–99 | Philadelphia | 26 | 0 | 4.7 | .357 | .000 | .571 | 1.4 | .1 | .2 | .2 | 1.6 |
| 1999–00 | Philadelphia | 28 | 3 | 6.8 | .389 | .000 | .545 | 1.8 | .1 | .1 | .4 | 1.9 |
| 2000–01 | Philadelphia | 30 | 3 | 6.5 | .466 | .000 | .500 | 1.8 | .1 | .2 | .2 | 3.2 |
| 2000–01 | Atlanta | 28 | 19 | 25.6 | .480 | .000 | .765 | 9.0 | .6 | .8 | 1.0 | 12.3 |
| 2001–02 | Atlanta | 82 | 73 | 26.4 | .461 | .000 | .617 | 7.9 | .4 | .8 | .7 | 9.7 |
| 2002–03 | Atlanta | 35 | 0 | 12.7 | .421 | .000 | .634 | 3.7 | .2 | .5 | .6 | 4.6 |
| 2003–04 | Atlanta | 53 | 1 | 17.7 | .493 | .000 | .627 | 5.0 | .4 | .4 | .5 | 6.5 |
| 2003–04 | New York | 27 | 23 | 24.9 | .563 | .000 | .525 | 7.7 | .6 | 1.2 | .9 | 9.1 |
| 2004–05 | New York | 54 | 54 | 28.1 | .509 | .000 | .708 | 8.1 | .5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 10.9 |
| 2004–05† | San Antonio | 23 | 5 | 18.0 | .387 | .000 | .571 | 6.4 | .3 | .2 | 1.4 | 6.2 |
| 2005–06 | San Antonio | 80 | 30 | 17.4 | .504 | .000 | .785 | 5.2 | .5 | .3 | .6 | 6.2 |
| 2006–07 | Detroit | 51 | 33 | 15.2 | .532 | .000 | .610 | 4.5 | .2 | .5 | .8 | 5.6 |
| 2007–08 | Detroit | 21 | 0 | 10.9 | .475 | .000 | .433 | 3.5 | .3 | .3 | .4 | 3.3 |
| 2007–08 | Charlotte | 61 | 29 | 23.3 | .520 | .000 | .617 | 6.9 | 1.1 | .6 | .9 | 9.3 |
| 2008–09 | Charlotte | 39 | 1 | 8.7 | .406 | .000 | .550 | 2.0 | .2 | .1 | .4 | 2.7 |
| 2009–10 | Charlotte | 58 | 29 | 17.0 | .553 | .000 | .648 | 5.2 | .5 | .3 | .7 | 7.9 |
| 2010–11 | Charlotte | 51 | 30 | 16.7 | .502 | .000 | .591 | 4.9 | .3 | .3 | .9 | 7.3 |
| 2010–11 | Oklahoma City | 24 | 7 | 17.9 | .573 | .000 | .625 | 4.8 | .3 | .7 | .4 | 6.9 |
| 2011–12 | Oklahoma City | 63 | 1 | 11.0 | .467 | .000 | .565 | 2.7 | .2 | .3 | .6 | 2.7 |
| 2012–13 | Chicago | 63 | 12 | 11.0 | .367 | .000 | .723 | 3.1 | .4 | .3 | .5 | 2.6 |
| 2013–14 | Chicago | 80 | 1 | 7.0 | .429 | .000 | .533 | 2.2 | .3 | .2 | .4 | 1.6 |
| 2014–15 | Chicago | 23 | 0 | 5.6 | .433 | .000 | .333 | 1.7 | .1 | .2 | .2 | 1.2 |
| 2015–16 | Oklahoma City | 5 | 0 | 3.8 | .600 | .000 | 1.000 | .8 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.6 |
| Career | 1005 | 354 | 15.8 | .486 | .000 | .640 | 4.7 | .4 | .4 | .6 | 5.8 | |
Playoffs
edit| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Philadelphia | 3 | 0 | 1.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| 2004 | New York | 4 | 4 | 24.3 | .500 | .000 | .688 | 5.8 | .3 | 1.5 | .8 | 10.3 |
| 2005† | San Antonio | 23 | 23 | 23.0 | .528 | 1.000 | .638 | 6.7 | .3 | .6 | 1.0 | 7.1 |
| 2006 | San Antonio | 8 | 3 | 11.8 | .733 | 1.000 | .722 | 3.9 | .1 | .4 | .8 | 4.5 |
| 2007 | Detroit | 2 | 0 | 3.0 | .500 | .000 | 1.000 | 1.5 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 2.5 |
| 2010 | Charlotte | 4 | 0 | 12.0 | .579 | .000 | .667 | 2.0 | .5 | .3 | .5 | 6.0 |
| 2011 | Oklahoma City | 14 | 0 | 10.6 | .412 | .000 | .400 | 2.3 | .0 | .3 | .4 | 2.3 |
| 2012 | Oklahoma City | 8 | 0 | 10.4 | .500 | .000 | .500 | 2.0 | .1 | .0 | .4 | 2.3 |
| 2013 | Chicago | 12 | 0 | 9.5 | .512 | .000 | .571 | 2.7 | .3 | .2 | .6 | 3.8 |
| 2014 | Chicago | 2 | 0 | 2.5 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| 2015 | Chicago | 3 | 0 | 4.7 | .286 | .000 | .000 | 1.7 | .0 | .0 | .3 | 1.3 |
| 2016 | Oklahoma City | 5 | 0 | 2.0 | .500 | .000 | .000 | 0.6 | .0 | .0 | .2 | 0.4 |
| Career | 88 | 30 | 13.1 | .514 | .667 | .639 | 3.5 | .2 | .3 | .6 | 4.2 | |
Personal life
editMohammed is a practicing Muslim who fasts for Ramadan. He had lost nearly ten pounds during 2004–05 season because of his fasting.[28]
Mohammed and his wife Mandi have two daughters and a son. Their son, Sir, currently plays college basketball for Notre Dame.
He created The Nazr Mohammed Foundation which is committed to being a charitable member of the global community by supporting a multitude of worthy causes through personal donations, fundraisers, camps, grants and scholarships and in August 2012, his foundation hosted the Kenwood Academy Capital Improvements Fundraiser.[1]
Mohammed studied Business Management at Kentucky and graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Arts and Sciences.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Nazr Mohammed Stats, Video, Bio, Profile". NBA.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ Roush, Nick (September 29, 2020). "Nazr Mohammed promoted to GM of Oklahoma City's G League team".
- ^ "1998 NBA Draft, First Round". NBA.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Mutombo traded to Sixers in six-player deal". ESPN.com. February 23, 2001. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Hawks vs. Clippers". USAToday.com. November 6, 2001. Retrieved March 17, 2006.
- ^ "N.Y. gets Thomas, Mohammed; Baker next?". ESPN.com. February 16, 2004. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Knicks land Rose, Taylor, draft picks". ESPN.com. February 24, 2005. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Nazr Mohammed 2004-05 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Spurs Dethrone Pistons To Take Third NBA Title". NBA.com. June 23, 2005. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Nazr Mohammed 2005-06 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Mohammed Dominates Inside, Spurs Top Suns". NBA.com. March 17, 2006. Retrieved March 17, 2006.
- ^ "Parker scores 25 as Spurs demolish Kings in Game 1". ESPN.com. April 22, 2006. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2006.
- ^ Rogers, Justin (July 4, 2006). "Pistons sign Nazr Mohammed". MLive.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Nazr Mohammed 2006-07 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "Bobcats acquire Mohammed from Pistons for Brezec, Herrmann". ESPN.com. February 22, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
- ^ Rohde, John (February 24, 2011). "OKC Thunder trade for Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson, Nazr Mohammed". NewsOK.com. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- ^ "Notebook: Heat 121, Thunder 106". NBA.com. June 22, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "BULLS SIGN FREE AGENT CENTER NAZR MOHAMMED". NBA.com. July 27, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- ^ Swanson, Ben (May 10, 2013). "Nazr Mohammed shoves LeBron James to the ground after foul". SBNation.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "BULLS RE-SIGN CENTER NAZR MOHAMMED". NBA.com. July 11, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^ "BULLS RE-SIGN CENTER NAZR MOHAMMED". NBA.com. September 22, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
- ^ "NBA stars, legends shine as Team World rallies to beat Team Africa". ESPN.com. August 1, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
- ^ Cantave, Marc (October 9, 2015). "NBA: NAZR MOHAMMED RETIRES FROM THE NBA". SportsBlog.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ^ Sharania, Shams (March 4, 2016). "Sources: Thunder to sign veteran center Nazr Mohammed". Yahoo.com. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Thunder Signs Nazr Mohammed". NBA.com. March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Nazr Mohammed signs with Thunder". ESPN.com. March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Westbrook's huge triple-double leads Thunder past Clippers". NBA.com. March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
- ^ Beck, Howard (December 31, 2004). "Mohammed Is Having an All-Star Season". The New York Times. Retrieved April 1, 2005.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- NBA.com profile
- Kentucky Wildcats bio