Last summer Abdel Nader signed a D-League contract with the Maine Red Claws for $25,000 after being selected 58th-overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2016 NBA draft. Nader turned down a significant offer from a Russian team overseas because he wanted to stay closer to the NBA, his ultimate goal. Flash-forward to today and the 23-year old from Egypt has recently signed a 4-year $6 million contract with the Celtics after a stellar rookie season in the D-league.
Nader transferred from Northern Illinois to Iowa State after his Sophomore year in college, believing he had better exposure to NBA teams playing in the Big 12.