Link Abrams

Lincoln "Link" Abrams (born 11 July 1973) is an American-New Zealand former basketball player. He played college basketball in the United States for New Mexico Military Institute and Centenary College. He debuted in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NBL) in 2003 and played his final NBL season in 2013, playing his entire career with the Taranaki Mountainairs.

Early life Abrams was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Playing career College and early years after Abrams first played college basketball at New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to Centenary College. As a junior at Centenary in 1994–95, he averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 27 games. As a senior in 1995–96, he averaged 18.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 blocks in 27 games.

After graduating from college, Abrams attempted to play in Spain and had a stint in Bolivia with Ingenieros.

In 2001, Abrams helped the Stormers win the CBL Central Conference and was named to the CBL Finals All-Star Five. In 2002, he led the Stormers to a perfect 18–0 season while winning the CBL Central Conference and the CBL championship. The Stormers defeated the Kaikoura Whale Riders 85–81 in the final, with Abrams recording 18 points and 17 rebounds. He was subsequently named to the CBL playoff tournament team.

Taranaki Mountainairs (2003–2013) Abrams made his National Basketball League (NBL) debut with the Taranaki Mountainairs in 2003 and proved he could play as an undersized power player at the higher level. In his first NBL season, he averaged 28.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game and earned league All-Star Five honours. He averaged 20.4 points and a league-leading 11.5 rebounds per game, earning him the Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy for being the rebounding champion.

In the opening game of the 2009 season, Abrams ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee. He underwent surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the season. He had not missed a match for Taranaki in the previous six seasons.

Abrams returned to the Mountainairs' line-up for the 2011 season and averaged 10.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, as well as a league-leading .649 field goal percentage. In 2012, he averaged 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

In his final season in 2013, Abrams averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Abrams finished his NBL career with 2,950 points (18.8pg) and 1,410 rebounds (9.0pg) in 157 games.

Personal life Abrams was a math teacher at Spotswood College during and after his basketball career.