Shabazz Napier facts for kids
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Napier with 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 | American |
| 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 an American professional basketball player. He plays as a Point guard for Bayern Munich in Germany. This team is part of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) and the EuroLeague.
Shabazz was picked 24th in the 2014 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was then traded to the Miami Heat. He played college basketball for the Connecticut Huskies. He helped them win two national championships in 2011 and 2014.
In the 2013–14 season, Shabazz was named the best player in the American Athletic Conference. He was a key player when UConn won their second NCAA tournament in 2014. He was also named the tournament's most outstanding player.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
Shabazz Napier was born in Roxbury, a neighborhood in Boston. His mother, Carmen Velásquez, is from Puerto Rico. His father, Alex Napier, is African American. He has an older sister, Titania, and an older brother, Timmie. He grew up in Boston's Mission Hill area. This is where he first fell in love with basketball.
High School Basketball Journey
Shabazz started high school at Charlestown High School in Boston. After two years, he moved to Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts. He also changed his school year to become a junior again.
In 2010, as a senior, Shabazz led Lawrence Academy to a perfect season. They won all 29 games. They also won the New England Prep Class C title. In the final game, he scored 23 points, had 8 steals, and 8 assists. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. In 2014, Charlestown High School honored him by retiring his jersey.
College Career Highlights
Shabazz decided to play college basketball at the University of Connecticut (UConn). He played under coach Jim Calhoun.
Freshman Year Success
In his first year (2010–11), Shabazz played in all 41 games. He was a backup player but still averaged 7.8 points per game. He also had 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He was named to the Big East All-Rookie team.
Shabazz made two important free throws in the Final Four game against Kentucky. This helped UConn win. UConn finished 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, Shabazz became a starting player for UConn. His stats improved a lot. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
On November 20, 2011, he achieved his first triple-double. This means he had double-digit numbers in three categories: 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists. UConn made it to the NCAA Tournament but lost to Iowa State. Before his junior year, Shabazz thought about leaving UConn. This was because coach Jim Calhoun retired and the team faced a postseason ban. But he decided to stay. Kevin Ollie became the new head coach.
Junior Year Achievements
Shabazz and his teammate Ryan Boatright became a strong duo. They were known as one of the best backcourts in the country. Together, they averaged 33 points and 9 assists per game. Shabazz also scored his 1000th career point. He was very good in overtime games, scoring 55 points in 45 minutes of overtime play. He led UConn to a school record of 5 overtime wins. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.
He was chosen for the Big East All-First Team. He also received an honorable mention for Big East Player of the Year. UConn finished the season with a 20–10 record.
Senior Year and National Championship
On April 26, 2013, Shabazz 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 got his second career triple-double. He had 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Shabazz led the team to win the 2K Sports Classic Title. He was named the tournament's MVP. In a game against Florida, he made the winning shot as time ran out. 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. Shabazz led them past several teams. They won the East Regional final against Michigan State. Shabazz was named the East Regional Most Outstanding Player. He continued to lead the Huskies through the Final Four. They beat Florida and reached the National Championship game. On April 6, he won the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year award.
On April 7, Shabazz and the Huskies beat Kentucky 60–54 in the National Championship game. Shabazz was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. UConn finished the season with a 32–8 record. Shabazz averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He was later honored in the Huskies of Honor.
Shabazz is one of only a few college players to win national championships as both a freshman and a senior. He is the only UConn player with over 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 250 steals in his career. He finished his UConn career as one of the top players in school history.
Professional Basketball Journey
NBA Career (2014–2020)
On June 26, 2014, Shabazz was picked 24th in the NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was quickly traded to the Miami Heat. He signed with the Heat on July 18, 2014. He also played some games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA Development League. On February 20, 2015, he had a great game with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists against the New York Knicks. He had surgery for a sports injury in April 2015 but recovered quickly.
On July 27, 2015, Shabazz was traded to the Orlando Magic. On November 11, 2015, he scored a career-high 22 points against the Los Angeles Lakers.
On July 7, 2016, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. On April 10, 2017, he scored a career-high 32 points against the San Antonio Spurs. On December 28, 2017, he scored 15 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help the Trail Blazers win.
On July 17, 2018, Shabazz signed with the Brooklyn Nets. On December 29, he tied his career high with 32 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. On February 6, 2019, he had his first career double-double with 10 points and 11 assists.
On July 7, 2019, Shabazz was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. On February 5, 2020, he was traded to the Denver Nuggets and then to the Washington Wizards the next day.
International Career (2021–Present)
On July 19, 2021, Shabazz signed a one-year deal with the Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg. However, on February 27, 2022, he ended his contract with Zenit. He stated that Russia's actions in Ukraine were the reason.
On November 4, 2022, Shabazz joined the Mexico City Capitanes. On January 28, 2023, he signed with Olimpia Milano in Italy.
On July 16, 2023, Shabazz signed a two-year deal with the Serbian team Crvena zvezda. In December 2023, he had disagreements with the new coach and left the team. He was released from his contract with the condition that he could only sign with his former club, Olimpia Milano.
On December 21, 2023, Shabazz signed back with Olimpia Milano. He continues to play for them.
Playing for Puerto Rico
Shabazz's mother is Puerto Rican. This means he can play for the Puerto Rico national basketball team. In February 2012, he agreed to join their practice for a tournament. However, he could not play due to an injury.
In December 2013, the Puerto Rico coach met with Shabazz and his mother. Shabazz said he would love to play for Puerto Rico. He felt it would be a unique experience and help his game. He also said it would make his mother proud.
Images for kids
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Napier with the Washington Wizards in 2020
See also
In Spanish: Shabazz Napier para niños
