Following a successful college career that included a Big East Freshman of the Year award, a Big East All-First Team selection and winning a National Championship, Khalid El-Amin’s basketball career has taken him all across the world.
Bypassing his senior season, El-Amin was hoping to sneak into the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft, but unfortunately that never panned out. As the last of 3 powerhouse 2nd round selections (the other two - AJ Guyton, Jake Voskuhl), the Chicago Bulls drafted El-Amin 34th overall (Michael Redd was still on the draft board).
Bypassing his senior season, El-Amin was hoping to sneak into the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft, but unfortunately that never panned out. As the last of 3 powerhouse 2nd round selections (the other two - AJ Guyton, Jake Voskuhl), the Chicago Bulls drafted El-Amin 34th overall (Michael Redd was still on the draft board).
El-Amin played just one season with the Bulls, before signing on with the Dallas Mavericks in 2001. His stay in Dallas didn’t last long, as he never even made it through the pre-season. El-Amin ended up playing the 2001 season in the CBA for the Dakota Wizards and Gary Steelheads.
Realizing that his most realistic chance to make a quality living on the basketball court was overseas, El-Amin packed up his things and headed to Europe. Despite another very brief stop in the NBA with the Miami Heat, El-Amin has been playing internationally ever since:
2002 (Jan.) – Strasbourg, France: SIG - 12.8 points and 4.9 assist
2002 (Nov.) – 2003 – Ramat Gan, Israel: Maccabi Ironi - 19.7 points and 4.9 assists
2003 (Aug.) – 2005 - Istanbul, Turkey: Besiktas … 1st season - 20.9 points and 5.2 assists. Two consecutive Turkish League MVPs.
2005 (June) - 2006 - Mariupol, Ukraine: Azovmash - 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assist. Azovmash won the 2006 Ukranian Championship. El-Amin won the MVP of both regular season and playoffs.
Currently = Turkey: BC Turk Telekom Ankara
Not that I ever thought Khalid El-Amin would turn into a legitimate pro player, but it’s quite interesting to see where the former UConn product landed. His husky frame, limited defensive skills and sub par jump shot were too much to overcome.
Should it come as a surprise that El-Amin's family owns a restaurant?
2 comments:
Not that Minnesota High school ball is the best by any means, but El Amin's performances in the state tourney were the best I've ever seen ... He had skills, magnetism and huge courage. Charlie Meyers - Minneapolis, MN
Khalid and team are currently playing in the TBL Finals, series is 3-1, they are down.
The family owned restaurant was started by his father 20 years ago, and has the best catfish and whiting in Minneapolis along with other dishes you cant find everywhere.
His official site is the best place for fans to keep up with his career and stay away from
the negative comments and rude posts.
I find it ironic that people are still talking about his frame and size, yet he has still won championships since UCONN. If you got him in the gym, you'd loose.
www.el-aminbasketball.com
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