The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/470359
MARCH 2015 ■ 53 BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State freshman power forward Abdul-Malik Abu always plays in an animated style, letting observers, opponents and his coaches know exactly what he is feeling. Abu will have a huge smile on his face when he makes a big play — like explod- ing down the lane for a rim-shaking dunk. He's quick to take the blame when something doesn't go his way with a look of "I know." However, he's generally an upbeat young player, who is learning how to harness his talent. Abu is also a devout Muslim, who amazed observers with his impressive play during the July evaluation period prior to his senior year of high school. He was fasting for Ramadan — July 8 to Aug. 7 that year — and didn't eat or drink between sunrise and sundown while competing in several basketball tournaments. Abu's connections in the Muslim commu- nity in the Triangle gave him close ties to a re- cent tragedy, one that put basketball into per- spective. Craig Stephen Hicks was charged with three counts of first-degree murder after allegedly shooting Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21, and her younger sister, Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, the morning of Feb. 10 at their apartment complex in Chapel Hill. Barakat graduated from NC State in 2013 and was in dentistry school at North Carolina, and his wife graduated from NCSU in De- cember. Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha was a sophomore at NC State. Media outlets across the country showed pictures taken last summer of Barakat and his wife with Abu. They had met at the Islamic Center of Raleigh during Abu's recruiting visit to NC State on Sept. 5-7, 2013, and they had stayed in touch ever since. Abu attended the wedding of Barakat and Yusor Moham- mad Abu-Salha last December. "The Muslim community really wrapped their arms around me and made me feel like home, and he was one of them," Abu said. "It's a community thing, a we thing. It's not a Muslim problem or a North Carolina prob- lem. It's something that has to be addressed on a bigger stage, and more than I can do." Abu played against Virginia the day af- ter the shootings Feb. 11, and expressed his thoughts following the narrow 51-47 loss to the No. 2 Cavaliers. "It was pretty emotional," Abu said. "It isn't even from how close we were, but the fact that innocent people lost their lives over something that could have been easily avoided. "I don't want to speculate on why or to speculate that it was a hate crime, but regard- less of your religion, ethnicity, gender, lives are important." NC State created an "Our Three Win- ners" scholarship endowment Feb. 20 to provide support in NC State's Poole College of Management, College of Sciences and College of Design. The last time Abu talked to Barakat was in early February when the latter invited Abu, and freshman wings Ca- leb Martin and Cody Martin, to attend an upcoming fundraiser. "I knew them well enough to grieve and be hurt," Abu said. "It still hurts, but every day is a chance to celebrate life and not take life for granted. "I wish you could hear their side, but as long as I have to answer questions, I'll try and represent the community as best as I can. It is a wake-up call for everybody. Cherish your loved ones and enjoy every day." Abu hopes to carry on their spirit in his own way moving forward. "All his fundraisers and all the things he had planned, they are still going to carry out," Abu said. "His legacy is not going to die. It's going to live on." Abu's maturity in handling his freshman year has been impressive. Being in high school for five years helped in that regard. The Boston native had already lived away from home while attending Meriden (N.H.) Kimball Union Academy after reclassifying his sophomore year. Rivals.com ranked Abu as the No. 45 over- all player in the country, and his college- ready, 6-8, 240-pound body only heightened expectations he would find his way into the starting lineup. He picked NC State over Florida, Providence and Connecticut. Through Feb. 24, Abu had started 14 out of 15 ACC contests, moving into the starting lineup in NC State's 15th game of the season, against Pittsburgh Jan. 3. He was averaging 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17.8 min- utes per game, but his numbers rose through the first 15 ACC games. Abu had posted 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per league contest. When asked what aspects of his game he's working on, Abu had an answer worthy of a veteran player. "Execution and listening, because basket- ball is a mental game," Abu said. "I feel like I have all the tools to be great in this league, but you have to win the war mentally. I definitely feel like I'm improving every day, whether it's scoring, rebounding or just being there for my team. "I want to continue to prove to the coaches that I can be the starting power forward for NC State basketball." Abu enjoyed his breakout game in the 65-60 loss at Miami Jan. 22, scoring the Wolfpack's first 12 points of the game en route to 19. He followed two games later with 15 points and 12 rebounds during the 68-57 loss against Clemson Jan. 28 to mark his first double-double. "He always has had that ability in him," NC State sophomore post player Kyle Wash- ington said. "He is always in the gym. I just tell him to stay aggressive and offensively minded — he has great offensive skills." Head coach Mark Gottfried figures this season will only help out Abu in the long term. "It's tough when you are a freshman at this level," Gottfried said. "I think he has done good. He has made a big jump from the beginning of the year until now. He has made huge strides. As sophomores, they become a little more consistent and a little bit better. "I expect him to have a big finish this year and great summer and great season next year." When Abu is on the court, a dunk, and in particular an alley-oop, is always a threat. Redshirt junior combo guard Trevor Lacey has developed a good rapport with Abu, and all they need is eye contact. Lacey will simply toss the ball to the rim and Abu will go and get it. Lacey was asked if it was similar to former Seattle SuperSonics point guard Gary Payton and power forward Shawn Kemp. Lacey chose to modernize the comparison. "I was thinking more Chris Paul and De- Andre Jordan of the Clippers," Lacey said. "We can do that a lot. … I know he can jump out of the gym, so I just put it anywhere by the rim and he can go get it. "When he first stepped on campus, we knew he was very skilled. He can shoot the ball very well for a big. As a freshman, he's just learning the game and getting used to the speed." ■ MAKING STRIDES Freshman Power Forward Abdul-Malik Abu Is Learning On The Job Through Feb. 24, Abu was averaging 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN