Mid-Atlantic Prep League Star Spotlight: Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Blair Academy
The definition of star power is Blair Academy standout Jabri Abdur-Rahim. His father, Shareef, played 12 seasons in the NBA. Now he can watch his son rise to the top of New Jersey basketball. Abdur-Rahim is ranked as the No.…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe definition of star power is Blair Academy standout Jabri Abdur-Rahim. His father, Shareef, played 12 seasons in the NBA. Now he can watch his son rise to the top of New Jersey basketball.
Abdur-Rahim is ranked as the No. 1 player in the state and No. 32 in ESPN’s Top 100 players. The four-star recruit chose to play his college ball at Virginia over some other big names such as Michigan State, Kansas, Florida, and Michigan. As a junior, he averaged 15.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Abdur-Rahim’s accomplishments earned him the 2018-2019 Gatorade New Jersey Boys Basketball Player of the Year. As a senior he will have a chance to join Jahvon Quinerly, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Tim Thomas as two-time winners of the award.
Abdur-Rahim was also named a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award. In 2019-2020, he can become the first player from New Jersey to win the award since Towns at St. Joe’s Metuchen.
At 6’7, Abdur-Rahim will fit in perfectly with how Virginia plays basketball. They were a defensive powerhouse on their way to a National Championship in college basketball last season. So far in 2019, their defense has only improved. Abdur-Rahim is a long armed, quick player who plays strong defense. At Virginia, he can play at any position on the floor. He is a forward who has a chance to make it professionally. At the next level, Abdur-Rahim could be an impressive guard.
Using speed and athleticism, Abdur-Rahim has the ability to drive to the basket and finish with great consistency. If there is any part of his game that needs work, it is his jump shot which will improve overtime. When Abdur-Rahim learns to knock down his outside shot with consistency and adds some more size and strength, he will be a true force at any level he plays.
Blair Academy is a team that will be in the national eye all season long. There will be plenty of chances to watch Abdur-Rahim light up the court every time he plays. Heading to Virginia next season, he has a chance to make an immediate impact for the Cavaliers but he has some unfinished business to take care of in high school first.