OKC Thunder Trivia: uncovering 50 fun, surprising and random facts

Russell Westbrook, OKC Thunder (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
Russell Westbrook, OKC Thunder (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 23: Abdel Nader #28 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 23, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 23: Abdel Nader #28 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 23, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Abdel Nader is bringing Egypt to the NBA.

He’s only the second Egyptian player to enter the NBA, and Abdel Nader is ready to bring his skills to the OKC Thunder.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, on September 25, 1993, the 24-year-old has an impressive statistical history. As a senior at Niles North, near Chicago, Nader averaged 23.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Ultimately, he led the Vikings to a 24-6 record and secured the team’s first sectional championship in its 47-year history.

Nader’s time at Niles North also earned him First Team All-State honors from the Chicago Tribune, Class 4A Second Team All-State recognition from the Chicago Sun-Times, and Chicago All-Area team honors from ESPN.

During his freshman year at Northern Illinois University, Nader started in 29 of 31 appearances and averaged a team best 10.4 points. After declaring for the 2016 NBA Draft, Nader was selected by the Boston Celtics as the 58th overall pick. Shortly after the Summer League, he was acquired by the NBA Development League’s Maine Red Claws and eventually earned the title of 2016-’17 NBA Development League Rookie of the Year.

He became first internally-born player to receive such an honor. In July of 2018, Nader was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Rodney Purvis.