Link Abrams
Personal information
Born (1973-07-11) 11 July 1973
Little Rock, Arkansas
NationalityAmerican / New Zealand
Listed height198 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Listed weight109 kg (240 lb)
Career information
College
NBA draft1996: undrafted
Playing career1998–2013
PositionPower forward
Career history
1998–2002Taranaki Stormers
2003–2013Taranaki Mountainairs
Career highlights and awards

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.[1]

Playing career

College and early years after

Abrams first played college basketball at New Mexico Military Institute[2] before transferring to Centenary College.[3] 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.[4]

After graduating from college, Abrams attempted to play in Spain[5] and had a stint in Bolivia with Ingenieros.[1]

Taranaki Stormers (1998–2002)

In 1998, Abrams moved to New Zealand after signing with the Taranaki Stormers to play in the Conference Basketball League (CBL), the national second division competition. When the season finished, he returned to Arkansas. For the next two years, he split his year between his hometown of Little Rock and New Plymouth. He stayed on in 2001 and remained in New Zealand for the rest of his playing career.[6]

In 2001, Abrams helped the Stormers win the CBL Central Conference[7] and was named to the CBL Finals All-Star Five.[8] In 2002, he led the Stormers to a perfect 18–0 season[9] while winning the CBL Central Conference[10] 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.[11] The win gave Taranaki's bid for renewed National Basketball League (NBL) status the perfect springboard.[11]

Taranaki Mountainairs (2003–2013)

Abrams made his NBL debut with the Taranaki Mountainairs in 2003 and proved he could play as an undersized power player at the higher level.[12] In his first NBL season, he averaged 28.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game[13] and earned league All-Star Five honours.[1] Following the 2003 season, Abrams gained New Zealand citizenship and attended the Tall Blacks' Olympic trials.[12]

In his fourth season with the Mountainairs in 2007, Abrams was named Co-Kiwi MVP, Most Outstanding Forward, Most Outstanding Kiwi Forward/Centre and All-Star Five.[14] He averaged 20.4 points and a league-leading 11.5 rebounds per game,[15] earning him the Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy for being the rebounding champion.[14]

In 2008, Abrams was twice named player of the week and finished second in the league with 9.8 rebounds per game.[16]

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.[17][18] He had not missed a match for Taranaki in the previous six seasons.[17] Recovery took longer than expected and he subsequently missed the entire 2010 season as well.[19]

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.[20][21] In 2012, he averaged 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.[22]

In his final season in 2013, Abrams averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.[22] In the season finale, he recorded 27 points and 18 rebounds in a 144–137 quadruple overtime loss to the Otago Nuggets.[23][24] Abrams finished his NBL career with 2,950 points (18.8pg) and 1,410 rebounds (9.0pg) in 157 games.[22][25]

Personal

Abrams' partner Vanessa hails from Urenui, Taranaki. The couple have two children.[6]

Abrams taught year nine to twelve math at Spotswood College during and after his basketball career.[18][26]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "2005 League Handbook" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 24, 2006. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "MAPIOU TAKES ON NEW CHALLENGE IN NEW MEXICO". Gcbr2usa.com. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2021. Its alumni include Link Abrams, 2007 MVP of the NZ NBL.
  3. ↑ "Centenary Gents Basketball Record Book" (PDF). GoCentenary.com. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  4. ↑ "Lincoln Abrams". sports-reference.com. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  5. ↑ "Centenary Today, Centenary College of Louisiana, 1996-2005". Mocavo.com. Retrieved 22 January 2016. Lincoln Abrams '96, who played basketball at Centenary and is trying to get on the pro circuit in Spain.
  6. 1 2 Hills, Murray (26 April 2008). "Abrams' Taranaki roots get deeper". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "2001 Conference Basketball League". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "Kaikoura avenge final heartbreak". onesport.nzoom.com. 6 August 2001. Archived from the original on 9 August 2001.
  9. ↑ Bird, Tony (18 April 2008). "Abrams set to chalk up century". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 12 July 2019. Abrams led the Stormers to a perfect 18-0 season and the Conference Basketball League title in 2002...
  10. ↑ "2002 Conference Basketball League". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Taranaki Take Out CBL Title". BBNZ.org.nz. 25 August 2002. Archived from the original on October 12, 2002. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Basketball New Zealand – Link Abrams". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on August 23, 2006. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  13. ↑ "2003 Burger King League – League Leaders". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on November 19, 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  14. 1 2 "2007 National Basketball League". Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  15. ↑ "Dominion Finance NBL Team Stats (Regular Season)" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  16. ↑ "One More PoW For Crowe". Basketball.org.nz. 9 June 2008. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Injury Forces Abrams Out For Season". Voxy.co.nz. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  18. 1 2 Hills, Murray (24 February 2010). "Link Abrams not courting disaster". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  19. ↑ Hills, Murray (27 November 2010). "Abrams training for comeback". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  20. ↑ "2011 Bartercard NBL Quarter Finals Media Guide" (PDF). Basketball.org.nz. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 February 2013.
  21. ↑ Hills, Murray (19 December 2011). "Link Abrams fizzing for next season with Taranaki". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  22. 1 2 3 "Player statistics for Link Abrams". FoxSportsPulse.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  23. ↑ Hills, Murray (6 July 2013). "Otago Nuggets survive Mountain Airs in 4OT". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  24. ↑ Smart, Sharyn (6 July 2013). "Quadruple Overtime!". NZhoops.co.nz. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  25. ↑ "2013 Bartercard National Basketball League Handbook". Basketball New Zealand. p. 15 (16). Archived from the original on 28 September 2021.
  26. ↑ "It's a maths double". Stuff.co.nz. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
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