Ibrahim Abdeen ‘23 Recruiting Profile

Personal Statement

I am 6'8 center from middle east Jordan, I started playing basketball in 2020 before the pandemic spread. Before entering the basketball field which changed my life, I was indulged with soccer I was a goalkeeper for my high school team and I was pretty good at it, however, I had many people criticizing me for not playing basketball since I was tall, I didn't listen, until that one time when I approached the basketball court in my high-school gymnasium, my life from there changed.

I stayed late in school that evening, for unknown circumstances and I was extremely bored, therefore, I want to the gymnasium. Luckily the high-school basketball team training session was taking place that evening, so I sat down and watched. I was flabbergasted by what I saw, the players put up a great show by doing skills working together, and motivating each other during practice, the environment there was indescribable, and I felt like this is where I belonged.

Fortunately, the high-school coach advised before that I should enter the basketball team and he'll help to improve, but as i mentioned i rejected this offer earlier, but this time he approached me again and offered the exact same offer, and this time I accepted, he welcomed me with open arms and a will to make me better player, he told that I should in practice tomorrow at 6 I'll never forget that time. 

Before going to practice, I sat with my self everyone there is experienced with the game and know about it more than me since all of them played the game since primary school and there is me who is starting now, I have a long way to go, but i was assertive that I'll catch up and even be better in a short period of time because I know my self I learn and apply real quick and I will be capable to pass any obstacles in my way.

I started with the basics of basketball, I had a background about the rules, but I still had to know more and more I was hungry for knowledge and hungry to get better, but there is a long path and I managed to run it. For now I played for 2 years, during these 2 years I accomplished a lot and learned a lot, I learned that game time is best way to improve and if you want to improve you have to play games, I learned that discipline is a major priority in basketball every training session matters. Personally, what matters the most the relationship with your teammates and coaches because in the team you are with your family and your family wants what's is best for you therefore, no criticism only motivation, and this was an essential factor having a brotherhood relationship helped us to get ranks in the local tournaments.

During these two years, I managed to enter a youth club to play in the Jordanian Under-16 league once the club was (Al-Riyadi) then I transferred to (Amman United Club) to play in the Jordanian Under-18 league. Al-Riyadi was the first step during my time there I got game time learned the game, gained experience, I learned that defensive rebounds is one of the main priorities for a center, and worked on to be the best rebounder for my team. Unfortunately, we got 4th place in the local tournament, but I knew this was only the beginning, and failure will be crucial part in this journey because this is how the player learns. One of the main events of my life was getting called up to the Under 16 Jordanian national team I was ecstatic about this opportunity, I met the best players my age, we trained together and I learned from them a lot, I learned how to be a leader and a team player, I learned that you have to give everything for your country, there I spent 6 months of work, training in the early morning with team, then going to the gym, keeping track of healthy diet, it was a remarkable 6 months I transferred to (Amman United) as mentioned to play the next season with them I played in the U18 league and there we managed to get 2nd place, unfortunately, losing in the final, I was in tears later that night but I remembered one thing that I came a long way, I learned a lot, and gained experience and now its time to move a step ahead for whats bigger which is college basketball in the United States.