Warren Jabali

Warren Jabali (born Warren Edward Armstrong; August 29, 1946 – July 13, 2012) was an American basketball player. He played professionally in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1968 to 1975.

Early career Jabali changed his name while attending Wichita State University to reflect his African roots. The name does not have any religious connotations as it is a Swahili word for "rock." A skilled defender and rebounder and a remarkable leaper, the 6'2" Jabali was reported to be able to touch a ten-foot high basketball rim with his forehead. Although Wichita State, and the Missouri Valley Conference in general, supplied many pro players of the era, he did not receive much attention from the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted by the New York Knicks in the 4th round (8th pick, 44th overall) of the 1968 NBA draft; he signed instead with the Oakland Oaks of the rival ABA, who selected him in the 1968 ABA Draft.

ABA career Armstrong was drafted by the Oakland Oaks and the New York Knicks in 1968; he elected to play with the Oaks, then coached by Alex Hannum. The severe knee ligament injury to Rick Barry after 35 games did not slow the Oaks, who would win 60 games that year, a 38-game turnaround from the previous season. In his first season in the ABA, Armstrong won Rookie of the Year honors, prompting teammate Rick Barry to comment, "No doubt he's one of the best guards I've ever played with—or against". A year later at midseason, with the team playing as the Washington Caps, an injury sidelined Jabali. Hurt shortly after playing in his first of four ABA All-Star Games, he was carrying an average of 22.8 points per game at the time.

As one of the most physically gifted guards in the American Basketball Association, Jabali muscled his way through seven straight seasons of double-digit scoring, including 1968–69, when his average of 21.5 points per game earned him ABA Rookie of the Year honors. That season Jabali's efforts helped bring an ABA Championship to the Oakland Oaks, a team that also featured Rick Barry, Larry Brown, and Doug Moe. A physical intimidator with his frame, Jabali became infamous for his stomping of Jim Jarvis during a game, a moment he expressed regret over.

Jabali made a comeback, although his final five years were spent with four teams. In his first season back, 1970–71, he was traded from the Kentucky Colonels to the Indiana Pacers on October 13, 1970, in exchange for a first-round draft choice and cash. Jabali saw action in 62 games with the Pacers. It was with the Pacers that Jabali started pulling the trigger from three-point land; he did it 163 times that year, making 47 treys.

He had a big year with the Florida Floridians the following season, averaging 19.9 points and hitting 102 of his 286 three-point attempts, among the most in the league. When the Miami-based franchise folded, Jabali moved to the Denver Rockets (later the Denver Nuggets). During his first campaign with the Rockets, Jabali's 16-point effort in the 1973 ABA All-Star Game keyed the West's come-from-behind victory and earned him Most Valuable Player honors. The award, which came with a free airline ticket to anywhere in Europe, had him reply famously state, "I want to go to Africa. If they won’t send me to Africa, I want the money instead of the ticket.”

He spent one more season in Denver before being cut and put on waivers despite leading the league in assists (he quarreled with head coach Alex Hannum); reportedly, he was not claimed by any team because his Muslim views upset the ABA establishment. Months later, he signed with the San Diego Conquistadors. On February 14, 1975, he participated in the longest game in league history, a quadruple OT game against the New York Nets that saw him be switched from guard to forward to go against Julius Erving of the New York Nets (who scored 63 points). Jabali scored 19 of his 23 points at the end of regulation and in overtime, including six key points in the final overtime to help San Diego win 176–166. Jabali retired in 1975 at the age of 28.

In his seven-year professional career, Jabali played for the Oakland Oaks, Washington Capitals, the Indiana Pacers, The Floridians, the Denver Rockets, and the San Diego Conquistadors. While playing for the Rockets in 1973, he was named the All-Star Game MVP and was named to the All-ABA First Team after averaging 17.0 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. Knee problems would soon limit his effectiveness, however, and he retired in 1975, having achieved career averages of 17.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds. Regarding his intimidation, Jabali once stated, "You test folks. If you can get your opponent to the point where they’re so concerned about what you’re going to do and reluctant to play their game, you’ve got them. It makes life easier for you on the court. Guys are scared of you and hesitate before they make a move. They won’t drive [to the hoop] because they want to see if you’re around first.”

Personal life For a time, Jabali expressed interest in living in Africa. He moved to Tanzania for a time but found that the locals did not respect people of his ilk and therefore moved back to the States. In 2013, Thanks To You: Memories of Warren Edward Armstrong Jabali, a biography by Mary Alice Beasley, was released.

ABA career statistics

†Denotes seasons in which Jabali won an ABA championship

Regular season

Playoffs