By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Shabazz Napier is focusing on a coaching career, with the Washington Wizards adding him as a coaching apprentice, according to HoopsHype senior NBA insider Michael Scotto.
Over the last three seasons, the Boston native displayed his talents in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, suiting up for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet, and FC Bayern Munich. Last season with the German club, he tallied 10.3 points, 3.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per contest over 33 appearances, including three starts. At 34, he is moving on from his playing days.
After winning two NCAA championships with Connecticut in 2011 and 2014, Napier was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 24th overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft. He was subsequently traded to the Miami Heat, launching a run amounting to 354 appearances in the North American league, from the Heat to the Orlando Magic, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Brooklyn Nets, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a brief spell with the Wizards at the bottom of the 2019-20 season.
Expanding his career beyond the NBA, he joined Zenit in 2021 but left the team based in Saint Petersburg after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a few months later. He returned to Europe in 2023 to sign with Olimpia Milan, leading into his later EuroLeague stints, including a reunion with the Italian club and legendary head coach Ettore Messina.
Besides the club level, Napier powered up Puerto Rico in the Qualifiers of the FIBA AmeriCup 2022.