| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1973-07-11)11 July 1973 (age 52) |
| Nationality | American / New Zealand |
| Listed height | 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) |
| Listed weight | 109 kg (240 lb) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 1996:undrafted |
| Playing career | 1998–2013 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Career history | |
| 1998–2002 | Taranaki Stormers |
| 2003–2013 | Taranaki Mountainairs |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Lincoln "Link" Abrams (born 11 July 1973) is an American-New Zealand formerbasketball player. He playedcollege basketball in the United States forNew Mexico Military Institute andCentenary College. He debuted in the New ZealandNational Basketball League (NBL) in 2003 and played his final NBL season in 2013, playing his entire career with theTaranaki Mountainairs.
Abrams was born inLittle Rock, Arkansas.[1]
Abrams first playedcollege basketball atNew Mexico Military Institute[2] before transferring toCentenary 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]
In 1998, Abrams moved to New Zealand to play for the Taranaki Stormers in theConference Basketball League (CBL), the national second division competition. For the next two years, he split his year between his hometown of Little Rock andNew 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]
Abrams made hisNational Basketball League (NBL) debut with theTaranaki Mountainairs in2003 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 leagueAll-Star Five honours.[1] Following the 2003 season, Abrams gained New Zealand citizenship and attended theTall Blacks' Olympic trials.[12]
In his fourth season with the Mountainairs in2007, Abrams was namedCo-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 theGarry Pettis Memorial Trophy for being the rebounding champion.[14]
In2008, 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 the2009 season, Abrams ruptured thepatellar 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 entire2010 season as well.[19]
Abrams returned to the Mountainairs' line-up for the2011 season and averaged 10.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, as well as a league-leading .649 field goal percentage.[20][21] In2012, he averaged 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.[22]
In his final season in2013, 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 theOtago 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]
Abrams was amath teacher atSpotswood College during and after his basketball career.[18][26]
Its alumni include Link Abrams, 2007 MVP of the NZ NBL.
Lincoln Abrams '96, who played basketball at Centenary and is trying to get on the pro circuit in Spain.
Abrams led the Stormers to a perfect 18-0 season and the Conference Basketball League title in 2002...