Tariq Abdul-Wahad
Key Career Moment of Tariq Abdul-Wahad
Tariq Abdul-Wahad made history in 1997 when he became the first French-born player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Originally drafted as Olivier Saint-Jean by the Sacramento Kings, he later converted to Islam and changed his name. His breakout NBA moment came in the 1998-99 season with the Orlando Magic, where he started 33 games and showcased his defensive versatility against elite scorers like Allen Iverson and Vince Carter.
Tariq Abdul-Wahad (born Olivier Michael Saint-Jean; November 3, ) is a French basketball coach and former player.
His athleticism and defensive instincts were ahead of his time, said former Magic coach Chuck Daly.
Unique Skill of Tariq Abdul-Wahad
Tariq Abdul-Wahad's greatest strength was his lockdown perimeter defense. Standing at 6'6 with a 7-foot wingspan, he used his length and agility to disrupt opposing wings.
His ability to guard multiple positions-from point guards to power forwards-made him a valuable asset in an era before positionless basketball became mainstream.
Tariq Abdul-Wahad's Stats
- 4.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.1 APG over 236 NBA games
- Started 89 games across 5 NBA seasons
- Shot 45.2% from the field in 1999-00 with Orlando
Tariq Abdul-Wahad's Legacy in the NBA
Tariq Abdul-Wahad paved the way for future French NBA players like Tony Parker and Rudy Gobert.
Though injuries shortened his career, his trailblazing journey from France to the NBA inspired a generation of European talent. A unique fact: He was a standout soccer player in his youth before switching to basketball at age 16. Today, he's remembered as a defensive pioneer who helped globalize the game during the late 1990s.
NBA Draft and Career In the NBA Draft, Abdul-Wahad made history as the first French player to be selected. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 11th overall pick. .