Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

A natural born leader and competitor, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, of Gulfport, Mississippi was formerly known as Chris Jackson before converting to Islam in 1991. He is a Humanitarian, Activist, Author, and Former NBA Player with unimaginable career stats and community impact. He is perhaps most well-known for being exiled from the league for praying—instead of standing and saluting the flag – during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before games throughout the 1995–96 season. Abdul-Rauf’s protest sent shockwaves through the NBA that can still be felt today.

Abdul-Rauf grew up with Tourette's syndrome (undiagnosed until the age of 17), which is a driving force behind his support for mental health causes and initiatives.

As an athlete he has set several freshman scoring records at Gulfport High School. He earned first-team All-America honors both years at LSU. He was taken with the third overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1993, appeared in the Slam Dunk Contest at the 1993 NBA All-Star Weekend, and was one of the league's most accurate free throw shooters. In 2020 LSU retired Abdul-Rauf’s Number 35 basketball jersey and in 2022 he was recognized by Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

In his unwavering faith in Islam Abdul-Rauf preaches “The goal in life is to find your gift, the purpose in life is to give it away."

Today Abdul-Rauf spends a lot of time traveling extensively in the U.S. and abroad doing speaking engagements and basketball training while also partnering with organizations that align with his faith on issues such as Education, Social Justice, Mental Health and Humanitarianism.