Abdel Nader Impresses at Portsmouth

Around this time each year, former college players spend the bulk of their time preparing for the NBA draft process.

These prospects are working out as often as three times a day in order to be in peak physical condition ahead of potential workouts with NBA teams. With just over two months to go until the 2016 NBA draft, every day is another opportunity to get better.

One of the first events each year in which prospects can showcase their game is the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. This four-day event in Virginia brings in 64 of the nation’s top seniors, with 12 games in front of representatives from NBA franchises and international teams.

One player who helped boost his draft stock at Portsmouth this year was former Iowa State forward Abdel Nader. In three games last week, Nader averaged 17 points (seventh-most among all players), five rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He also showed that he can put the ball on the floor and drive to the rim, as he got to the line 10 times during the week (and made all 10 free throws).

Nader led all scorers during the first game on Wednesday, recording 25 points (on 10-of-16 shooting), four steals, three rebounds, one assist and one block in 22 minutes. He was recognized for his strong play by being named to the 2016 Portsmouth Invitational All-Tournament Team.

“I think I’ve shown glimpses of my athleticism,” Nader told Basketball Insiders. “I could do a lot more things athletically like finishing around the rim [and] I can handle the ball. I can do a lot of things, I think I’m very versatile.

“I haven’t been able to show that as much just because in the college system, you have to play as a team and guys have different roles. I think I played more of my role in college.”

While Nader was able to flash some of that athleticism last week in Portsmouth, another aspect of his game that will translate well at the next level is his shooting. In Basketball Insiders’ exclusive look at his pre-draft preparation at Elite Skills Training in Miami, Nader was easily the best shooter in the gym among several other Division I prospects.

However, it didn’t always seem that would be his strength. Nader shot less than 30 percent from three-point range during his first three years in college (two years at Northern Illinois and one year at Iowa State). The transformation seemed to happen in between his junior and senior years at Iowa State, as he improved his three-point percentage from 22 percent to 37 percent.

“I think I’m a pretty good shooter,” Nader said. “I remember before I got to Iowa State, people were saying that I was a hot head and things like that, but I think I’m a very laid back guy – very easy to coach and very easy to train with.

“I’ve always felt that I can shoot the ball, ever since I was in high school. But sometimes in college you have different roles and things happen so a lot of it is confidence and right now I’m playing with a lot of confidence.”

Nader played small forward during his time at Iowa State. He averaged 12.9 points, five rebounds and 1.5 assists in 35 games for the Cyclones. He shot 48.7 percent from the field, including 37 percent from three-point range.

He turned in some of his best performances of the season during a three-game stretch in February. Against No. 25 Baylor, TCU and No. 14 West Virginia, Nader averaged 24.3 points per game while connecting on 56 percent (15-of-27) of his three-point shots. Following the season, he was named to the Big 12 All-Conference Honorable Mention team.

At Portsmouth, he measured in at 6’6 and 221 pounds. He also has an impressive 7’1 wingspan, which was one of the best among all players at the tournament. Teams love players with that kind of length, especially on the perimeter. Given his ability to defend and shoot the three-ball, Nader could be a steal for an NBA team come draft time.

We’ve seen in the past few years how important three-point shooting has become. Floor spacing is critical to having success in the NBA. Nader’s performances last week in Portsmouth have already started drawing attention, as he’s now gaining interest from several teams around the league.

“I can defend and I can play on offense,” Nader said. “I bring a motor and I think I bring a lot of intangibles to the table. I think if I play my game and show my versatility, I could do a bunch of things. I’m a very good defender. I think [NBA teams] will fall in love with me. I don’t think I’ll have to do much out of my character.”

Now that the tournament in Portsmouth is complete, Nader will continue his pre-draft training. He has been working out with other draft prospects like Taurean Prince, James Webb III, Derrick Jones, Angel Rodriguez and Jameel McKay (his former teammate at Iowa State). Training with and playing against other draft prospects will only continue to prepare him for the competition he’ll face at the next level.

For many prospects like Nader, the next objective is to earn an invite to the NBA Draft Combine next month. Players who are invited to the combine have a great opportunity to improve their draft stock through the on-court drills, physical measurements and interviews.

A great showing in Chicago at the combine can be the difference between being drafted or falling off of the radar altogether.