Abdul-Rauf Hangs It Up

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who played in Turkey this season after an eight-year NBA career, is retiring from basketball because he no longer has a passion for the game.

Abdul-Rauf, who refused in 1996 to stand for the national anthem while with the Denver Nuggets, said he didn't even complete his season in Turkey.

"There was a lot of problems that came about with management, with the finances, people didn't want to play," he told WXXV-TV of Gulfport. "So I came home early, because I lost the desire in playing."

"I've decided to retire. Right now, I'm just focusing on improving in the (martial) arts and dealing with the youth at home in Gulfport and other areas where I'm needed."

Known as Chris Jackson when he was a standout at Gulfport High School and LSU, he changed his name after his Islamic conversion in 1991, the year after the Nuggets made him the third pick overall in the NBA draft.

Abdul-Rauf played with the Nuggets for six seasons, the last in 1996 when he was suspended for not standing during "The Star-Spangled Banner." He then played two seasons for the Sacramento Kings before going to Turkey.

He has not ruled out a comeback, but said it's unlikely.

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