Shabazz Napier facts for kids
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Napier with the Bayern Munich in 2025
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| No. 8 – FC Bayern Munich | |
|---|---|
| Point guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 14, 1991 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | UConn (2010–2014) |
| NBA Draft | 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 24th overall |
| Selected by the Charlotte Hornets | |
| Pro career | 2014–present |
| League | BBL EuroLeague |
| Career history | |
| 2014–2015 | Miami Heat |
| 2014–2015 | →Sioux Falls Skyforce |
| 2015–2016 | Orlando Magic |
| 2016–2018 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2018–2019 | Brooklyn Nets |
| 2019–2020 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2020 | Washington Wizards |
| 2021–2022 | Zenit Saint Petersburg |
| 2022–2023 | Mexico City Capitanes |
| 2023 | Olimpia Milano |
| 2023 | Crvena zvezda |
| 2023–2024 | Olimpia Milano |
| 2024–present | Bayern Munich |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Shabazz Bozie Napier (born July 14, 1991) is a professional basketball player from Puerto Rico. He plays as a point guard for Bayern Munich in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroLeague.
Napier was chosen 24th in the 2014 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was then traded to the Miami Heat. Before turning professional, he played college basketball for the Connecticut Huskies. He helped them win two national championships in 2011 and 2014.
In 2014, Napier was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament that year.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
Napier was born in the Roxbury area of Boston. His mother, Carmen Velásquez, is from Puerto Rico, and his father, Alex Napier, is African American. He has an older sister, Titania, and an older brother, Timmie. Shabazz grew up in Boston's Mission Hill neighborhood. This is where he first fell in love with basketball.
High School Basketball Journey
Napier spent his first two years of high school at Charlestown High School in Boston. He then moved to Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts. There, he repeated a year to improve his skills.
In 2010, as a senior, Napier led Lawrence Academy to a perfect season with 29 wins and no losses. They won the New England Prep Class C title. In the championship game, he scored 23 points, had 8 steals, and 8 assists. He was named the Tournament MVP.
In January 2014, Charlestown High School honored Napier by retiring his jersey.
College Career Highlights
Freshman Year Success
After high school, Napier decided to play for the University of Connecticut, known as UConn. In his first year (2010–11), he was a key player coming off the bench. He played in all 41 games and averaged 7.8 points per game. He was named to the Big East All-Rookie team.
Napier made two important free throws in the Final Four game against Kentucky. This helped UConn win. His efforts helped Connecticut finish the season with a 32–9 record. They won both the Big East Conference Championship and the National Championship in 2011.
Sophomore Season Growth
In his second year, Napier became a starter for UConn. His performance improved, as he averaged 13.0 points and 5.8 assists per game.
On November 20, 2011, Napier achieved his first career triple-double. This means he reached double digits in three different stats: 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists. UConn made it to the NCAA Tournament but lost to Iowa State. Before his junior year, Napier thought about leaving UConn after his coach retired. However, he decided to stay.
Junior Year Spotlight
Napier returned to UConn and became a national star alongside his teammate Ryan Boatright. They were known as one of the best backcourt duos in the country. Napier also scored his 1000th career point during this season. He was especially good in overtime games, scoring 55 points in 45 minutes of overtime play. He led his team to a school record of 5 overtime wins. Napier averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
At the end of the season, Napier was chosen for the Big East All-First Team. He led the Huskies to a 20–10 record, even though they couldn't play in the postseason that year.
Senior Year and Second Championship
On April 26, 2013, Napier decided to return for his senior year. He wanted to earn his degree and help his team get back to the NCAA Tournament. He was considered for many top awards. On November 11, 2013, he recorded his second career triple-double.
Napier led the team to win the 2K Sports Classic Title and was named the Tournament MVP. He also hit a game-winning shot against Florida. He was named the AAC Player of the Year. He was also named a first-team All-American.
In the NCAA Tournament, UConn was a 7th seed. Napier led them through tough games, defeating Villanova and Michigan State. He was named the East Regional Most Outstanding Player. On April 7, Napier and the Huskies defeated Kentucky 60–54 in the National Championship game. Napier was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
UConn finished the season with a 32–8 record. Napier averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He was later honored by being inducted into the Huskies of Honor. Napier is one of only a few players in history to win national championships as both a freshman and a senior. He is also the only UConn player with over 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 250 steals in his career.
Professional Basketball Career
NBA Journey
On June 26, 2014, Shabazz Napier was picked 24th in the 2014 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was quickly traded to the Miami Heat. He played for the Heat and was also assigned to their minor league team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In February 2015, he had a great game with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists against the New York Knicks.
In July 2015, Napier was traded to the Orlando Magic. On November 11, 2015, he scored a career-high 22 points in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
He then played for the Portland Trail Blazers from 2016 to 2018. On April 10, 2017, he scored a new career-high of 32 points against the San Antonio Spurs. He also had another strong 23-point game in December 2017.
In July 2018, Napier signed with the Brooklyn Nets. On December 29, he tied his career high with 32 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. He also recorded his first career double-double (10 points and 11 assists) in February 2019.
Napier was later traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in July 2019. In February 2020, he was traded again to the Washington Wizards.
International Play
After his time in the NBA, Napier moved to play internationally. In July 2021, he signed with Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia. However, he ended his contract in February 2022 due to the situation in the region.
In November 2022, he joined the Mexico City Capitanes. In January 2023, he signed with Olimpia Milano in Italy, where he won the Italian league championship.
In July 2023, Napier signed with Crvena zvezda in Serbia. Later that year, he returned to Olimpia Milano in Italy. He continues to play for Bayern Munich in Germany.
Representing Puerto Rico
Shabazz Napier's mother is Puerto Rican, which means he can play for the Puerto Rico national basketball team. In 2012, he agreed to join the team's practice for the 2012 Centrobasket tournament. However, he could not play due to an injury.
In 2013, the Puerto Rico national team coach met with Napier. Napier expressed his strong desire to play for Puerto Rico. He said it would be a unique experience and an honor to represent his mother's home country.
Images for kids
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Napier with the Bayern Munich in 2025
See also
In Spanish: Shabazz Napier para niños
