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Omari Spellman

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Omari Spellman
Spellman with Villanova in 2018
No. 14 – BC Zenit Saint Petersburg
PositionPower forward
LeagueVTB United League EuroLeague (suspended)
Personal information
Born (1997-07-21) July 21, 1997 (age 27)
Cleveland, Ohio
NationalityAmerican / Lebanese
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight285 lb (129 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeVillanova (2017–2018)
NBA draft2018: 1st round, 30th overall pick
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2019Atlanta Hawks
2018–2019→Erie BayHawks
2019–2020Golden State Warriors
2020Iowa Wolves
2021Erie BayHawks
2021–2023Anyang KGC / Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
2024–presentBC Zenit Saint Petersburg
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference

Omari Spellman (born July 21, 1997) is an American-Lebanese professional basketball player for BC Zenit Saint Petersburg of the Russian VTB United League. He played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats, winning a national championship in 2018. Spellman was drafted 30th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA draft.

Early life

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Spellman at the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic

Spellman was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Spellman began 9th grade at Middletown High School in New York but transferred to Hoosac School after two to three months, but had to start in 8th grade there.[1] Spellman later attended North Royalton High School in North Royalton, Ohio. As a sophomore, he averaged 22 points per game and 9.8 rebounds a game for the Bears. Before the start of his Junior year, Spellman decided to attend the MacDuffie School in Granby, Massachusetts. Spellman played his senior season at St. Thomas More in Montville, Connecticut. As a senior in 2015–16, he averaged 16 points and seven rebounds per game. Despite not being named a McDonald's All-American, Spellman was selected to play in the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic where He had a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds.[citation needed]

Spellman was rated as a five-star recruit and considered a top-15 player of the 2016 high school class.[2][3] He was ranked the No. 16 overall player in the 2016 ESPN Top 100 and No. 5 among power forwards.[4] He played AAU ball for the PSA Cardinals and wrote poetry as a downtime activity.[5]

College career

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Eric Paschall, Donte DiVincenzo, Spellman, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Brunson.

Spellman was forced to redshirt his freshman year as a partial academic qualifier since he did not graduate with his original high school class. He broke down in tears when this was first announced but was more composed after the appeal process failed.[1] In his redshirt year, he slimmed down from 300 lbs. to 245 lbs and focused on eating healthier. As a redshirt freshman, Spellman shot a team-high 44.6 percent from behind the arc.[5] Spellman had a season-high 27 points in an 87–67 rout of Temple on December 13.[6] He had 18-points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the Sweet 16 matchup against West Virginia.[7] He averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on the national champion Villanova team. Following the season Spellman declared for the 2018 NBA draft, and announced he was staying in the draft on May 30.[8]

Professional career

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Atlanta Hawks (2018–2019)

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On June 21, 2018, Spellman was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 30th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He was the third of four Villanova players drafted that year, as well as the last of their first round selections there.[9] Spellman signed with the Hawks on July 1, 2018.[10]

On December 30, 2018, Spellman was assigned to the Hawks’ NBA G League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks. He made his G League debut the next night, scoring 28 points and collecting 14 rebounds in a loss.[11][12]

Golden State Warriors (2019–2020)

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On July 8, 2019, Spellman was traded to the Golden State Warriors for Damian Jones and a 2026 second round draft pick.[13]

Iowa Wolves (2020)

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On February 6, 2020, Spellman was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with D'Angelo Russell and Jacob Evans, in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and a first round pick.[14] After being traded, Spellman was assigned to the Timberwolves' G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.[15] He recorded a triple-double with the Wolves on March 8, posting 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 115–112 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors.[16] He did not play any games for the Timberwolves.

Erie BayHawks (2021)

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On November 24, 2020, Spellman was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Ed Davis.[17] On January 7, 2021, he was waived by the Knicks.[18]

On January 26, 2021, Spellman signed with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League.[19]

Anyang KGC / Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (2021–2023)

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Spellman joined the Chicago Bulls for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[20]

On August 31, 2021, Spellman was reported to have signed with Anyang KGC.[21] In March 2023, Anyang KGC played in the East Asia Super League's 2023 season, and won the gold medal.[22] Spellman was named the Champions Week' MVP.[22] In May 2023, he won his first KBL championship.[23]

National team career

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On April 18, 2023, Spellman acquired Lebanese citizenship, and joined the Lebanon men's national basketball team.[24][25]

Personal life

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Spellman has a younger brother, Arashma Parks, who currently plays as a forward for Temple University, and a younger sister, Taiyier Parks, who currently plays basketball for Michigan State as a forward.[26]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Atlanta 46 11 17.5 .402 .344 .711 4.2 1.0 .6 .5 5.9
2019–20 Golden State 49 3 18.1 .431 .391 .793 4.5 1.0 .7 .5 7.6
Career 95 14 17.8 .417 .366 .766 4.3 1.0 .6 .5 6.8

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Villanova 40 39 28.1 .476 .433 .700 8.0 .8 .7 1.5 10.9

References

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  1. ^ a b Tydings, Stephen (September 23, 2016). "Jay Wright on Omari Spellman ruling: 'I'm argued out'". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  2. ^ "Omari Spellman, 2016 Center – Rivals.com". n.rivals.com. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  3. ^ "Omari Spellman – Basketball Recruiting – Player Profiles". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  4. ^ "14 Omari Spellman". Villanova Wildcats. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Borzello, Jeff (March 30, 2016). "How Omari Spellman became the perfect final piece in Villanova's Final Four puzzle". ESPN. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  6. ^ "Brunson leads No. 1 Villanova in rout of Temple". ESPN. Associated Press. December 13, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  7. ^ Serby, Steve (March 31, 2018). "Villanova big man knows exactly how to beat Kansas' beast". New York Post. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  8. ^ Gallen, Daniel (May 30, 2018). "NBA Draft 2018: Villanova's Omari Spellman to remain in draft, forgo three years of eligibility". PennLive. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  9. ^ Kasinitz, Aaron (June 22, 2018). "NBA Draft 2018: Hawks take Villanova forward Omari Spellman with 30th pick". The Patriot-News. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  10. ^ "Hawks Sign Kevin Huerter, Omari Spellman And Trae Young". NBA.com. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  11. ^ "Hawks' Omari Spellman: Assigned to G-League". CBSSports.com. December 30, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "Dozier, Brown Lead Red Claws Past BayHawks". NBA.com. December 31, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  13. ^ "Warriors Acquire Forward Omari Spellman from Atlanta". NBA.com. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  14. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Acquire NBA All-Star D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans and Omari Spellman from Golden State". NBA.com. February 6, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "Timberwolves' Omari Spellman: Accepts G League assignment". CBS Sports. February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  16. ^ "Timberwolves' Omari Spellman: Records triple-double". CBS Sports. March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  17. ^ "Knicks Acquire Future Draft Pick". NBA.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  18. ^ "Knicks Waive Omari Spellman". NBA.com. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  19. ^ Somrak, Michael (January 26, 2021). "Erie BayHawks make two roster moves". erie.gleague.nba.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  20. ^ "Chicago Bulls 2021 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League Roster". NBA. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  21. ^ "Omari Spellman signs at Anyang KGC". asia-basket.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Odeven, Ed (March 5, 2023). "Anyang Tops Seoul to End EASL Champions Week on a High Note | SportsLook". SportsLook. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  23. ^ Morales, Luisa (May 7, 2023). "Abando scoreless but Anyang dethrones SK Knights for KBL title". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  24. ^ "Lebanese cabinet approves special provision for American basketball player Omari Spellman to Join national team". Lebanon News. April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  25. ^ "Omari Spellman receives honorary citizenship, joins Lebanese team for FIBA World Cup". L'Orient Today. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  26. ^ "Her brothers are for the birds, but Taiyier Parks chooses Spartans". ESPN.com. November 19, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
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