The next installment of Beantown Background, as well as the 58th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, selection by the Boston Celtics, is Abdel Nader.
Despite his draft year, this will be Nader’s rookie year because he spent last season in the G League.
Nader’s career began back at North Niles High School in Illinois, where he averaged 23.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game during his senior season. He led the team to their first Sectional and Suburban League championships. He was named to the Illinois All-State team by the Chicago Tribune.
Nader then committed to the University of Northern Illinois. He spent two years with the program, and during the second he averaged 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. He led the team in scoring during both seasons before transferring to Iowa State. In only 16.4 minutes per game during his first season with the Cyclones, Nader averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. During his senior season for Iowa State, Nader improved his three-point shooting to 37.1 percent, and improved his overall scoring to 12.9 points per game.
According to NBA.com, Nader was selected by the Celtics with the 58th overall pick in the 2016 draft, and was signed to their G League team, the Maine Red Claws. Nader had a successful season with the team, averaging 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists on his way to being named the league’s MVP. The G League MVP is voted on by the league’s 22 coaches. Nader signed a 4-year deal worth $6 million with the Celtics.
While Nader didn’t have the illustrious high school and college careers some of this year’s rookies did, his MVP season for the Maine Red Claws is definitely a positive sign for the rookie forward.
