Chris Jackson's NBA career: Looking at the professional journey of player now named Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, formerly known as Chris Jackson, was one of the most electric guards in the NBA during the 1990s. Jackson played nine seasons in the league between 1990 and 2001 with three different teams. However, his career was later overshadowed by his personal beliefs.

Jackson was originally drafted No. 3 in the 1990 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets out of Louisiana State University. He then went on to be named to the NBA All-Rookie second team (1991).

Jackson averaged 14.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 0.8 steals per game on 41.3% shooting in his rookie season. His scoring then dropped off a bit in his sophomore season, when he averaged 10.3 PPG.

However, in his third season, Jackson broke out, winning the 1992-93 NBA Most Improved Player award. He averaged 19.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.2 APG and 1.0 SPG on 45.0% shooting that season. His 19.2 PPG would mark the highest scoring average of his career, which he later tied in the 1995-96 season with the Nuggets.

Jackson was also renowned for his elite free-throw shooting. His 95.6% mark from the line in the 1993–94 season is still the third-highest single-season percentage in NBA history.

In total, Chris Jackson played six seasons with the Nuggets from 1990 to 1996. He was then traded to the Sacramento Kings in the 1996 offseason for Sarunas Marciulionis and a second-round pick.

Jackson played two seasons in Sacramento from 1996 to 1998. He then signed with Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Basketball League where he played during the 1998-99 season.

Jackson then took the entire 1999-2000 season off. This came after he previously said that he had lost interest in basketball and wanted to retire. However, he later returned to the NBA once more with the Vancouver Grizzlies during the 2000-01 season, before returning overseas.

Chris Jackson finished his NBA career with averages of 14.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 3.5 APG and 0.8 SPG on 44.2% shooting over 586 regular-season games. He also played in 15 playoff games, all with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 2.3 APG and 0.5 SPG on 36.9% shooting.

Why did Chris Jackson change his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf?

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, formerly known as Chris Jackson

Chris Jackson's decision to change his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf had to do with religious reasons. In 1991, Jackson converted to Islam. He later changed his name in 1993, midway through his NBA career.

Following his name change, Abdul-Rauf was involved in controversy when he refused to stand for the U.S. national anthem before games. He did so out of belief that the U.S. flag was a symbol of oppression.

This led to the NBA suspending Abdul-Rauf on March 12, 1996. However, he quickly worked out a compromise where he would stand for the anthem but closed his eyes to recite Islamic prayers.

Given the time period that Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf played in, his personal stances were considered a very big deal. This led to him receiving death threats and also contributed to his shortened NBA career as he was ostracized by many teams.

However, since his retirement, Abdul-Rauf has made it clear that he has no regrets.

“It’s priceless to know that I can go to sleep knowing that I stood to my principles,” Abdul-Rauf said.

“Whether I go broke, whether they take my life, whatever it is, I stood on principles. To me, that is worth more than wealth and fame.”

Abdul-Rauf's basketball career came to an end in 2011 after a two-year stint with Japanese outfit Kyoto Hannaryz.