Omari Spellman

American-Lebanese basketball player (born 1997)

Omari Spellman

Spellman with Villanova in 2018

No. 14 – BC Zenit Saint Petersburg
Position| Power forward
League| VTB United League EuroLeague (suspended)
Personal information
Born|  (1997-07-21) July 21, 1997 (age 27)
Cleveland, Ohio
Nationality| American / Lebanese
Listed height| 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight| 285 lb (129 kg)
Career information
High school|

* North Royalton
(North Royalton, Ohio)
* MacDuffie School
(Granby, Massachusetts)
* St. Thomas More School
(Oakdale, Connecticut)

College| Villanova (2017–2018)
NBA draft| 2018: 1st round, 30th overall pick
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Playing career| 2018–present
Career history
2018–2019| Atlanta Hawks
2018–2019| →Erie BayHawks
2019–2020| Golden State Warriors
2020| Iowa Wolves
2021| Erie BayHawks
2021–2023| Anyang KGC / Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
2024–present| BC Zenit Saint Petersburg
Career highlights and awards

* EASL champion (2023)
* EASL Champions Week MVP (2023)
* KBL champion (2023)
* NCAA champion (2018)
* Big East Rookie of the Year (2018)

Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Omari Spellman (born July 21, 1997) is an American-Lebanese professional basketball player for BC Zenit Saint Petersburg of the Russian VTB United League. He played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats, winning a national championship in 2018. Spellman was drafted 30th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA draft.

## Early life

[edit]

Spellman at the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic

Spellman was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Spellman began 9th grade at Middletown High School in New York but transferred to Hoosac School after two to three months, but had to start in 8th grade there.[1] Spellman later attended North Royalton High School in North Royalton, Ohio. As a sophomore, he averaged 22 points per game and 9.8 rebounds a game for the Bears. Before the start of his Junior year, Spellman decided to attend the MacDuffie School in Granby, Massachusetts. Spellman played his senior season at St. Thomas More in Montville, Connecticut. As a senior in 2015–16, he averaged 16 points and seven rebounds per game. Despite not being named a McDonald's All-American, Spellman was selected to play in the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic where He had a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds.[citation needed]

Spellman was rated as a five-star recruit and considered a top-15 player of the 2016 high school class.[2][3] He was ranked the No. 16 overall player in the 2016 ESPN Top 100 and No. 5 among power forwards.[4] He played AAU ball for the PSA Cardinals and wrote poetry as a downtime activity.[5]

## College career

[edit]

Eric Paschall, Donte DiVincenzo, Spellman, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Brunson.

Spellman was forced to redshirt his freshman year as a partial academic qualifier since he did not graduate with his original high school class. He broke down in tears when this was first announced but was more composed after the appeal process failed.[1] In his redshirt year, he slimmed down from 300 lbs. to 245 lbs and focused on eating healthier. As a redshirt freshman, Spellman shot a team-high 44.6 percent from behind the arc.[5] Spellman had a season-high 27 points in an 87–67 rout of Temple on December 13.[6] He had 18-points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the Sweet 16 matchup against West Virginia.[7] He averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on the national champion Villanova team. Following the season Spellman declared for the 2018 NBA draft, and announced he was staying in the draft on May 30.[8]

## Professional career

[edit]

### Atlanta Hawks (2018–2019)

[edit]

On June 21, 2018, Spellman was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 30th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He was the third of four Villanova players drafted that year, as well as the last of their first round selections there.[9] Spellman signed with the Hawks on July 1, 2018.[10]

On December 30, 2018, Spellman was assigned to the Hawks’ NBA G League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks. He made his G League debut the next night, scoring 28 points and collecting 14 rebounds in a loss.[11][12]

### Golden State Warriors (2019–2020)

[edit]

On July 8, 2019, Spellman was traded to the Golden State Warriors for Damian Jones and a 2026 second round draft pick.[13]

### Iowa Wolves (2020)

[edit]

On February 6, 2020, Spellman was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with D'Angelo Russell and Jacob Evans, in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and a first round pick.[14] After being traded, Spellman was assigned to the Timberwolves' G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.[15] He recorded a triple-double with the Wolves on March 8, posting 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 115–112 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors.[16] He did not play any games for the Timberwolves.

### Erie BayHawks (2021)

[edit]

On November 24, 2020, Spellman was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Ed Davis.[17] On January 7, 2021, he was waived by the Knicks.[18]

On January 26, 2021, Spellman signed with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League.[19]

### Anyang KGC / Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (2021–2023)

[edit]

Spellman joined the Chicago Bulls for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[20]

On August 31, 2021, Spellman was reported to have signed with Anyang KGC.[21] In March 2023, Anyang KGC played in the East Asia Super League's 2023 season, and won the gold medal.[22] Spellman was named the Champions Week' MVP.[22] In May 2023, he won his first KBL championship.[23]

## National team career

[edit]

On April 18, 2023, Spellman acquired Lebanese citizenship, and joined the Lebanon men's national basketball team.[24][25]

## Personal life

[edit]

Spellman has a younger brother, Arashma Parks, who currently plays as a forward for Temple University, and a younger sister, Taiyier Parks, who currently plays basketball for Michigan State as a forward.[26]

## Career statistics

[edit]

Legend  GP  | Games played  |  GS | Games started  |  MPG | Minutes per game

|
|
|
|
|

FG% | Field goal percentage  |  3P% | 3-point field goal percentage  |  FT% | Free throw percentage
RPG | Rebounds per game  |  APG | Assists per game  |  SPG | Steals per game
BPG | Blocks per game  |  PPG | Points per game  |  Bold | Career high

### NBA

[edit]

#### Regular season

[edit]

Year  | Team  | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2018–19 | Atlanta | 46 | 11 | 17.5 | .402 | .344 | .711 | 4.2 | 1.0 | .6 | .5 | 5.9
2019–20 | Golden State | 49 | 3 | 18.1 | .431 | .391 | .793 | 4.5 | 1.0 | .7 | .5 | 7.6
Career  | 95 | 14 | 17.8 | .417 | .366 | .766 | 4.3 | 1.0 | .6 | .5 | 6.8

### College

[edit]

Year  | Team  | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2017–18 | Villanova | 40 | 39 | 28.1 | .476 | .433 | .700 | 8.0 | .8 | .7 | 1.5 | 10.9

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Tydings, Stephen (September 23, 2016). "Jay Wright on Omari Spellman ruling: 'I'm argued out'". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
2. ^ "Omari Spellman, 2016 Center – Rivals.com". n.rivals.com. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
3. ^ "Omari Spellman – Basketball Recruiting – Player Profiles". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
4. ^ "14 Omari Spellman". Villanova Wildcats. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
5. ^ a b Borzello, Jeff (March 30, 2016). "How Omari Spellman became the perfect final piece in Villanova's Final Four puzzle". ESPN. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
6. ^ "Brunson leads No. 1 Villanova in rout of Temple". ESPN. Associated Press. December 13, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
7. ^ Serby, Steve (March 31, 2018). "Villanova big man knows exactly how to beat Kansas' beast". New York Post. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
8. ^ Gallen, Daniel (May 30, 2018). "NBA Draft 2018: Villanova's Omari Spellman to remain in draft, forgo three years of eligibility". PennLive. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
9. ^ Kasinitz, Aaron (June 22, 2018). "NBA Draft 2018: Hawks take Villanova forward Omari Spellman with 30th pick". The Patriot-News. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
10. ^ "Hawks Sign Kevin Huerter, Omari Spellman And Trae Young". NBA.com. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
11. ^ "Hawks' Omari Spellman: Assigned to G-League". CBSSports.com. December 30, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
12. ^ "Dozier, Brown Lead Red Claws Past BayHawks". NBA.com. December 31, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
13. ^ "Warriors Acquire Forward Omari Spellman from Atlanta". NBA.com. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
14. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Acquire NBA All-Star D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans and Omari Spellman from Golden State". NBA.com. February 6, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
15. ^ "Timberwolves' Omari Spellman: Accepts G League assignment". CBS Sports. February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
16. ^ "Timberwolves' Omari Spellman: Records triple-double". CBS Sports. March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
17. ^ "Knicks Acquire Future Draft Pick". NBA.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
18. ^ "Knicks Waive Omari Spellman". NBA.com. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
19. ^ Somrak, Michael (January 26, 2021). "Erie BayHawks make two roster moves". erie.gleague.nba.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
20. ^ "Chicago Bulls 2021 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League Roster". NBA. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
21. ^ "Omari Spellman signs at Anyang KGC". asia-basket.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
22. ^ a b Odeven, Ed (March 5, 2023). "Anyang Tops Seoul to End EASL Champions Week on a High Note | SportsLook". SportsLook. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
23. ^ Morales, Luisa (May 7, 2023). "Abando scoreless but Anyang dethrones SK Knights for KBL title". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
24. ^ "Lebanese cabinet approves special provision for American basketball player Omari Spellman to Join national team". Lebanon News. April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
25. ^ "Omari Spellman receives honorary citizenship, joins Lebanese team for FIBA World Cup". L'Orient Today. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
26. ^ "Her brothers are for the birds, but Taiyier Parks chooses Spartans". ESPN.com. November 19, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Omari Spellman.

* Career statistics from NBA.com and Basketball Reference
* Villanova Wildcats bio
* ESPN profile

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Villanova Wildcats men's basketball 2017–18 NCAA champions

* 1 Jalen Brunson
* 2 Collin Gillespie
* 4 Eric Paschall
* 5 Phil Booth
* 10 Donte DiVincenzo (MOP)
* 14 Omari Spellman
* 23 Jermaine Samuels
* 25 Mikal Bridges

Head coach
Jay Wright

Assistant coaches
Ashley Howard
Kyle Neptune
George Halcovage

* v
* t
* e

2018 NBA draft

First round|

* Deandre Ayton
* Marvin Bagley III
* Luka Dončić
* Jaren Jackson Jr.
* Trae Young
* Mo Bamba
* Wendell Carter Jr.
* Collin Sexton
* Kevin Knox
* Mikal Bridges
* Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
* Miles Bridges
* Jerome Robinson
* Michael Porter Jr.
* Troy Brown Jr.
* Zhaire Smith
* Donte DiVincenzo
* Lonnie Walker IV
* Kevin Huerter
* Josh Okogie
* Grayson Allen
* Chandler Hutchison
* Aaron Holiday
* Anfernee Simons
* Moritz Wagner
* Landry Shamet
* Robert Williams
* Jacob Evans
* Džanan Musa
* Omari Spellman

Second round|

* Élie Okobo
* Jevon Carter
* Jalen Brunson
* Devonte' Graham
* Melvin Frazier
* Mitchell Robinson
* Gary Trent Jr.
* Khyri Thomas
* Isaac Bonga
* Rodions Kurucs
* Jarred Vanderbilt
* Bruce Brown
* Justin Jackson
* Issuf Sanon
* Hamidou Diallo
* De'Anthony Melton
* Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
* Keita Bates-Diop
* Chimezie Metu
* Alize Johnson
* Tony Carr
* Vincent Edwards
* Devon Hall
* Shake Milton
* Arnoldas Kulboka
* Ray Spalding
* Kevin Hervey
* Thomas Welsh
* George King
* Kostas Antetokounmpo

*[GP]: Games played
*[GS]: Games started
*[MPG]: Minutes per game
*[FG%]: Field goal percentage
*[3P%]: 3-point field-goal percentage
*[FT%]: Free-throw percentage
*[RPG]: Rebounds per game
*[APG]: Assists per game
*[SPG]: Steals per game
*[BPG]: Blocks per game
*[PPG]: Points per game
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template