He has found his latest refuge in Japan’s fledgling professional league, where he is settling in with the expansion Kyoto Hannaryz as the highest-profile player in the league’s five-year history.
Kyoto’s 14-26 record and two recent losses to the three-time champion Osaka Evessa underscore the challenges Abdul-Rauf and his teammates face.
“Whether things are going well for us or not it’s just a question of being consistent, constantly chipping away and not allowing others to dictate what we do,” he said.
The 41-year-old guard has certainly shown the willingness to stand up to those who would impose their will on his.