30 years ago today, former NBA and UConn guard Shabazz Napier was born. The Roxbury born guard attended Charlestown High School and Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts and was a four star recruit.
Napier was recruited by many big time schools including Miami, Providence, St. Johns, Arizona State, and UConn where he eventually committed. Shabazz played under Jim Calhoun and Kevin Ollie through his four years in Storrs.
Napier was one of the first players I ever watched as a UConn fan and along with Kemba Walker who came before Napier, I became a diehard Huskies fan.
While at UConn, Napier collected a plethora of accolades. He was a two time National Champion, was 2013 First Team Big East, and was 2014 First Team All ACC. In addition to that, Napier was a 2014 All American, the 2014 Bob Cousy Award Winner, 2014 ACC Player of the Year, and was the 2014 NCAA Final Four MVP.
In his senior year he averaged 18 points per game, 4.9 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. His career rounded off with 13.7 points per game, 1.8 steals per game, 4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.
Napier stayed in college all four years which was awesome to see in the world of one and done college hoops players. He was taken 24th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.
From 2014 to 2015 he played with Miami and then bounced between the G-League, other NBA teams, and played overseas. Between 2014 and now he’s played with the Heat, the Sioux City Skyforce, the Magic, Trailblazers, Nets, Timberwolves, and Wizards. He currently plays for Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia.
Happy birthday Shabazz!