RIP Abdul Jeelani

Scored the first points in Dallas Mavericks history. A former NAIA player who eventually got to the NBA.

Former Racine all-star Abdul Jeelani dies at 62

 

#FamousMuslimAthletes

 

143 games, 1,290 points, 288 of 559 FGs (51%), 161 of 204 from the line, 500 rebounds, 160 assists, 278 fouls, lots of drugs.

 

Sad story. As the article mentioned he had his demons. He was a legend in Italy if I remember correctly. When he went into the Racine HoF Caron Butler bought him new clothes and such. I'm not from Racine but I remember reading about Gary Cole in Street and Smiths and the Milwaukee papers when I was growing up in the Fox Valley. Just saw him this winter and he didn't look great. RIP

 

The Mavericks were the first expansion team I remember. I thought the idea of a new team was really cool and predicted to my Dad they'd be good. He explained that expansion teams are by design awful. Mavericks won their first game and I was all "I told you so." Of course they finished 15-67, thereby beginning my career of #FreezingColdTakes at the tender age of 7.