Discover the former NBA player, Mahmoud Abdul Rauf net worth, and learn about his successful basketball career and total career earnings. Get insights into the life of this talented athlete. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, also known as Chris Jackson, is a former American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for nine years.
He was a standout player in collegiate basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU), earning first-team All-American honors for two consecutive years. In 1990, he was drafted as the third overall pick by the Denver Nuggets. Abdul-Rauf was known for his impressive free throw shooting and was awarded the NBA Most Improved Player award in 1993. He also participated in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 1993 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Throughout his NBA career, Abdul-Rauf caused controversy when he refused to stand for the national anthem in protest, referring to the American flag as a sign of tyranny. After his NBA career, Abdul-Rauf played in various leagues around the world. His total earnings in the NBA were over $19 million.
Abdul Rauf Early Life
Abdul-Rauf was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1969 and was raised by his mother along with his two brothers. Growing up, he experienced financial difficulties and had to miss the fourth grade and enroll in special education programs. Despite these challenges, he excelled in basketball and became the two-time Mr. Basketball in Mississippi during his high school years.
After his successful high school career, Abdul-Rauf attended LSU where he continued to shine on the court. He was discovered by a middle school girls’ basketball coach who noticed his talent, despite not having much knowledge of the game. In his first season, Abdul-Rauf set several records and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in his debut year in the NBA.
More: The White Lotus Season 3: HBO Announced the Renewal of the Show
Abdul Rauf Career
Mahmoud Abdul Rauf’s path to the NBA was an interesting one. He was first introduced to basketball by a middle school girls’ coach while he was still in high school. Despite his limited knowledge of the rules of the game, he managed to score 24 points in his debut game.
At Louisiana State University, Rauf made a name for himself with his impressive performance on the court, breaking the freshman scoring record with 53 points in a game against Florida. After two successful years at LSU, he declared for the NBA draft, where he was selected by the Denver Nuggets in 1990.
In his first year in the NBA, Rauf was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He also participated in the 1993 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, after tapes of his dunks were submitted to the league. Rauf was a valuable player for the Denver Nuggets until 1996 when he recorded a career-high 20 assists in a game against the Phoenix Suns.
Rauf went on to play for several teams in different countries, including Fenerbahce in the Turkish Basketball League, Ural Great in the Russian Basketball Super League, Sedima Roset in the Italian Serie A, Udine, Aris Thessaloniki, Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Basketball League, and Kyoto Hannaryz in the Japan Basketball League. He ended his professional basketball career as a player for the Three-Headed Monsters in the BIG3 competition.
More: Dr. Phil McGraw Net Worth: Find Out How Rich He Really Is?
Recently, Rauf gained widespread recognition with the release of the documentary “Stand” on Showtime. The film explores Rauf’s journey from poverty, living with Tourette’s Syndrome, facing bigotry, and growing up in a single-parent home to becoming a professional basketball player.
Mahmoud Abdul Rauf Net Worth
As of 2023, it is estimated that Mahmoud Abdul Rauf net worth is around $5 million. In 1990/91, while playing for the Denver Nuggets, Rauf is estimated to have received a salary of $1,660,000.
Abdul Rauf Earning
Mahmood Abdul Rauf was a professional basketball player and the salary figures listed are the amount of money he earned during each respective season of his career.
In the 1990-1991 season, he earned $1,660,000. The following year in 1991-1992, his salary increased to $2,008,000. In 1992-1993, he earned an even higher salary of $2,358,000.However, in the 1993-1994 season, his salary decreased to $1,825,000. The following year, his salary increased again to $2,200,000. In 1995-1996, his salary further increased to $2,600,000 and in 1996-1997, it rose to $3,100,000.
More: Uncover Secrets Behind Blake Moynes Net Worth In 2023: How Much The Bachelorette Star Make?
In the 1997-1998 season, he earned $3,300,000, but in the 2000-2001 season, his salary decreased significantly to $798,500. Over the course of his entire career, his total earnings amounted to $19,849,500.
Abdul Rauf’s Personal Life
Abdul-Rauf was married to Kim Jackson, whom he met at LSU, but the couple later divorced due to irreconcilable differences in religion. Abdul-Rauf converted to Islam in 1991 and changed his name from Chris Jackson to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. He is now married to a Muslim convert and the couple has been together for nearly twenty years. Abdul-Rauf has five children from his first marriage.