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Max Abmas
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Maxwell Abmas (/ˈeɪsməs/ AYSS-məss;[1] born April 2, 2001) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns and Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. He is one of 12 players in NCAA Division I college men's basketball history to score more than 3,000 career points.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Abmas attended Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.[2] He joined the varsity team in his sophomore season.[3] As a senior, he averaged 19.1 points and 3.7 assists per game.[4] He was named District 9-6A co-MVP.[5] Abmas competed for 3-D Sports on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.[6] He was lightly recruited and committed to playing college basketball for Oral Roberts over offers from Army, Navy, Air Force and Marist.[7]
College career
[edit]Oral Roberts (2019–2023)
[edit]As a freshman at Oral Roberts, he was a regular starter and averaged 14.4 points, earning Summit League All-Newcomer Team honors.[8][9] On December 8, 2020, he recorded 36 points, nine assists and six rebounds in an 83–78 loss to Oklahoma State.[10] On February 13, 2021, Abmas scored a career-high 42 points in a 103–86 win over South Dakota State.[11] Two days later, he was named Lou Henson National Mid-Major Player of the Week.[12] On February 27, Abmas scored 41 points in an 85–81 victory over Western Illinois.[13]
At the close of the 2020–21 season, Abmas was named the Summit League Player of the Year and first-team all-conference.[14] He helped his team win the Summit League tournament, where he was named MVP, and earn an NCAA tournament berth.[15] In the first round of the NCAA tournament, he led 15th-seeded Oral Roberts to a 75–72 upset win over second-seeded Ohio State in overtime, scoring 29 points.[16] In the second round, Abmas scored 26 points to help upset seventh-seeded Florida, 81–78.[17] In the Sweet 16, Abmas scored 25 points in a 72–70 loss to Arkansas.[18] With this performance, Abmas became the first player to score at least 25 points in each of the first three rounds at a single tournament since Stephen Curry during the 2008 NCAA tournament.[19] His play at the tournament has led many to draw comparisons between him and both Curry and Jimmer Fredette. On May 9, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[20] He withdrew from the draft on the day of the deadline.
As a junior, Abmas was named to the First Team All-Summit League.[21] After earning second team All-Big 12 recognition,[22] he earned Men's Basketball Academic All-America of the Year recognition.[23]
Texas (2023–2024)
[edit]On May 5, 2023, Abmas signed an Athletic Scholarship Agreement to play basketball at the University of Texas.[24]
In February 2024, Abmas was one of 30 players selected to the 2024 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Midseason Team.[25]
On February 5, 2024, Abmas was named the Big 12 conference Newcomer of the Week for the third time.[26]
In April 2024, Abmas was named College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Division I Men's Basketball Team Member of the Year. He was also one of five players named to the CSC Academic All-America first-team. Abmas was the first player in program history to receive the Academic All-American of the Year honor and just the third student-athlete at the school to be recognized as the Academic All-American of the Year in their respective sport. He played and started in all 34 games that season and led the team in scoring, assists and minutes. He tied the single-season record for most three pointers made in Big 12 conference play, sharing the mark with Kevin Durant and Daniel Gibson.[27]
In April 2024, Abmas was selected for the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.[28] At Portsmouth, he played in 3 games and averaged 8.7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
Professional career
[edit]After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Abmas joined the Utah Jazz for the 2024 NBA Summer League[29] and on September 16, 2024, he signed with the team.[30] However, he was waived on October 8[31] and on October 28, he joined the Salt Lake City Stars.[32]
Personal life
[edit]Abmas is the son of Troy and Erika Abmas.[33] His father worked in cybersecurity and his mom was a respiratory therapist. His father played high school football in Shreveport, LA. Abmas has two siblings.[34]
Career statistics
[edit]| 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 |
| * | Led NCAA Division I |
College
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Oral Roberts | 31 | 31 | 29.5 | .411 | .366 | .830 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.0 | .2 | 14.4 |
| 2020–21 | Oral Roberts | 28 | 28 | 37.0 | .477 | .429 | .890 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 1.5 | .2 | 24.5* |
| 2021–22 | Oral Roberts | 30 | 30 | 36.8 | .422 | .389 | .850 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 1.0 | .1 | 22.8 |
| 2022–23 | Oral Roberts | 34 | 34 | 36.1 | .436 | .373 | .919 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 1.1 | .2 | 21.9 |
| 2023–24 | Texas | 34 | 34 | 35.0 | .425 | .362 | .900 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 0.9 | .1 | 16.8 |
| Career | 157 | 157 | 34.8 | .435 | .383 | .884 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 1.1 | .2 | 19.9 | |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Javad, Jonah (March 25, 2021). "Remember the name: Dallas Jesuit star Max Abmas leading Oral Roberts to historic March Madness run". WFAA.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ Haisten, Bill (January 7, 2021). "Max Abmas is a Golden Eagle guard defined by dazzling creativity". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "Max Abmas - 2020-21 - Men's Basketball". Oral Roberts University. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ Corrales, Jack (March 4, 2019). "Varsity Basketball's Playoff Run Comes to an End as Comeback Falls Short". Jesuit Roundup. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Welch, Matt (March 2, 2019). "Boys Basketball: Allen's Stevens, Jesuit's Abmas split MVP nod in 9-6A all-district team". Allen American. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Blum, Sam (March 26, 2021). "How Jesuit's Max Abmas went from overlooked prep star to this year's NCAA Tournament darling". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ Beard, Aaron (March 18, 2021). "Abmas leads crop of potential mid-major NCAA bracket busters". APNews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ Jorgenson, Todd (December 1, 2020). "Ex-Jesuit Sharpshooter Making Immediate Impact at ORU". PeopleNewsPapers.com. People Newspapers. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Gregory, Dekota (November 6, 2019). "ORU at OSU: Freshman Max Abmas emerges on team full of veterans". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ "Cade Cunningham's late offensive outburst keeps Oklahoma State unbeaten against Oral Roberts". The Dallas Morning News. Associated Press. December 8, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Lewis, Barry (February 13, 2021). "Max Abmas scores career-high 42 to lead ORU past Jackrabbits". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "ORU's Max Abmas named national player of the week and Summit League player of the week". Tulsa World. February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Lewis, Barry (February 27, 2021). "Max Abmas takes NCAA scoring lead, rallies ORU past Leathernecks". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "Oral Roberts' Abmas collects #SummitMBB Player of the Year honors". TheSummitLeague.org (Press release). Summit League. March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ Zimmer, Matt (March 9, 2021). "Oral Roberts survives NDSU rally, wins Summit League men's tournament". Argus Leader. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ Hoyt, Joseph (March 19, 2021). "Oral Roberts stuns Ohio State in first round, but the win was no surprise to Max Abmas' former Jesuit coach". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Sweet 16 bound: Ex-Jesuit star Max Abmas helps Oral Roberts knock off Florida 81-78". The Dallas Morning News. Associated Press. March 21, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "ESPN - Oral Roberts vs. Arkansas". ESPN.com. March 28, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ SportsCenter [@SportsCenter] (March 27, 2021). "Max Abmas is the first player since Steph Curry in 2008 to score 25 points in each of his first three #NCAATournament games. Put himself on the map 👏 @ORUMBB https://t.co/ePLsoKBBXX" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 28, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Givony, Jonathan (May 9, 2021). "Oral Roberts men's basketball sophomore Max Abmas enters NBA draft, but keeps eligibility". ESPN. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ "SDSU's Scheierman tabbed #SummitMBB Player of the Year". TheSummitLeague.org (Press release). Summit League. March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
- ^ "2023–24 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Awards" (PDF). Big12Sports.com/ (Press release). March 10, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "2023-24 Academic All-America® Men's Basketball Teams announced for all NCAA and NAIA divisions". AcademicAllAmerica.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ "Men's Basketball signs Max Abmas". University of Texas Athletics. May 5, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ "Men's Basketball's Abmas named to Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Midseason Team". University of Texas Athletics. February 15, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ "Abmas named Big 12 Men's Basketball Newcomer of the Week". University of Texas Athletics. February 5, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ "Abmas named CSC Academic All-America Division I Men's Basketball Team Member of the Year". University of Texas Athletics. April 17, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Newman, Josh (April 10, 2024). "Texas' Max Abmas to play in Portsmouth Invitational as NBA Draft process gets going". lonestarlive. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ "Utah Jazz Announce NBA 2K25 Summer League Roster". NBA.com. July 12, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ Rincon, Jeremy (September 16, 2024). "Utah Jazz Sign Max Abmas". NBA.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ Rincon, Jeremy (October 8, 2024). "Utah Jazz Waive Abmas, Kinsey, and Wong". NBA.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Stars Announce 2024-25 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Max Abmas - 2022-23 - Men's Basketball". Oral Roberts University. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ "Max Abmas - Men's Basketball". University of Texas Athletics. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
External links
[edit]Max Abmas
View on GrokipediaEarly life and high school career
Upbringing
Max Abmas was born on April 2, 2001, in Rockwall, Texas, and has lived in the same house there since birth.[5][1] He grew up in a supportive family environment in the Dallas area, with no notable relocations during his early years.[5] Abmas is the son of Troy Abmas, who works in cybersecurity and previously played high school football in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Erika Abmas, a respiratory therapist.[7] He has an older brother named Maison and a younger sister named Mya, with his family emphasizing discipline and encouragement in his pursuits.[7] His parents were actively involved in fostering his interests, attending his events and instilling values of accountability from a young age.[8] Abmas developed an early passion for basketball, showing intense emotion for the sport as a child and beginning competitive play in seventh grade.[8] At age 13, he already demonstrated scoring prowess in youth tournaments, including a 38-point performance in a 17-and-under Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) game while playing for the 3-D Sports team.[9] His family's influence, particularly his father's guidance on handling setbacks, played a key role in nurturing this interest before his transition to organized high school basketball.[8]High school career
Abmas attended Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas in Texas, where he played varsity basketball for four seasons under head coach Chris Hill.[5] Over his high school career, he established himself as a prolific scorer, finishing as the program's all-time leader in scoring average (15.9 points per game), field goals made (495), three-pointers made (256), and steals (205).[10] As a senior in the 2018–19 season, Abmas served as the Rangers' leading scorer, averaging 19.1 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range over 35 games.[11][12] He scored in double figures in 34 of those contests, including 13 games with 20 or more points, highlighted by a career-high 32 points against Plano West Senior High School on January 15, 2019, and his 1,000th career point against South Grand Prairie High School on December 7, 2018.[12] For his performance, Abmas earned District 9-6A Co-MVP honors and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 56th Annual Bob Stras Knights Tournament, where he led Jesuit to the championship with 54 points over three games.[13][12] Despite his scoring prowess, Abmas was lightly recruited out of high school, receiving scholarship offers primarily from smaller programs including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marist, and Oral Roberts University.[](https://www.espn.com/m mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31417186/oral-roberts-men-basketball-sophomore-max-abmas-enters-nba-draft-keeps-eligibility) He committed to Oral Roberts in April 2019, choosing the Summit League school as a two-star recruit according to 247Sports.[14]College career
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (2019–2023)
Abmas joined the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles as a freshman in 2019, quickly establishing himself as a key contributor on a team competing in the Summit League. During the 2019–20 season, he averaged 14.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across 31 appearances, helping the Golden Eagles to a 17–14 record while earning Summit League All-Newcomer honors.[3][2] In his sophomore year of 2020–21, Abmas emerged as one of the nation's top scorers, leading Division I with 24.5 points per game alongside 3.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists, which earned him the Summit League Player of the Year award.[3][15] His performance propelled Oral Roberts to an 18–11 record and a Summit League Tournament championship, securing a berth in the 2021 NCAA Tournament as a No. 15 seed.[16] There, Abmas shone in the Golden Eagles' historic run to the Sweet 16, scoring 29 points in a first-round upset over No. 2 Ohio State (75–72 OT), 26 points in a second-round victory against No. 7 Florida (81–78), and 25 points in a third-round loss to No. 6 Arkansas (72–70), totaling 80 points across the three games.[17][18][19] Abmas maintained elite production as a junior in 2021–22, averaging 22.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in 30 contests, though the team finished 19–12, lost in the Summit League Tournament semifinals, and missed the postseason.[3][20] During his senior season of 2022–23, he averaged 21.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, repeating as Summit League Player of the Year while leading Oral Roberts to a 30–5 record and another conference tournament title; they earned a No. 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament but lost in the first round to No. 5 Duke, 74–51.[3][21][22] Over four seasons at Oral Roberts, Abmas amassed 2,562 points, ranking among the program's all-time leaders and showcasing steady scoring growth from 14.5 points per game as a freshman to over 21 annually in his final three years.[3] Following his senior year, he transferred to Texas for his fifth season.[5]Texas Longhorns (2023–2024)
Following his senior season at Oral Roberts, where he had established himself as the NCAA's active leading scorer, Max Abmas entered the transfer portal and committed to the Texas Longhorns on April 27, 2023, as a graduate transfer to utilize his final year of eligibility in a Power 5 conference.[23] This move marked a significant step up in competition level for Abmas, transitioning from the Summit League to the more physical and faster-paced Big 12, where he adapted by emphasizing efficient scoring and playmaking under head coach Rodney Terry.[24] In the 2023–24 season, Abmas started all 34 games for Texas, leading the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game, assists at 4.1 per game, and minutes played at 35.0 per game.[25] He also contributed 3.1 rebounds per game, showcasing his versatility as a 6-foot point guard in a lineup that relied on his perimeter shooting and floor generalship to navigate the Big 12's defensive intensity. Abmas shot 42.5% from the field and 90.0% from the free-throw line overall, demonstrating improved efficiency against elite defenders compared to his mid-major days.[25] His three-point shooting proved particularly impactful, as Abmas made 92 threes at a 36.2% clip for the full season, including 50 in Big 12 conference play—a mark that tied the University of Texas single-season record shared by Kevin Durant (2006–07) and Daniel Gibson (2005–06).[26] This performance helped Texas maintain a balanced offense amid injuries to other key players, with Abmas often serving as the primary ball-handler and shot creator in high-stakes matchups.[5] Under Abmas's leadership, the Longhorns compiled a 21–13 overall record and went 9–9 in Big 12 play, securing a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament.[27] Texas advanced to the Second Round after a narrow 56–53 victory over Virginia Tech in the first round, before falling 89–63 to Purdue, ending Abmas's college career on a competitive note in the postseason.[28]Professional career
2024 NBA Summer League and draft
Following the conclusion of his senior season at Texas, where he became the 12th player in NCAA Division I history to score over 3,000 career points, Max Abmas declared for the 2024 NBA Draft by submitting his early entry paperwork before the April 28 deadline.[29][30] As part of the pre-draft process, Abmas participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April, showcasing his skills against other prospects.[31] He also attended the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago from May 12–19, where his athletic measurements included a height of 6 feet barefoot (6 feet 0.25 inches in shoes), weight of 173 pounds, wingspan of 6 feet 2.5 inches, and standing reach of 7 feet 9.5 inches.[32] Abmas went undrafted after the completion of the two-round 2024 NBA Draft on June 27, despite his prolific college scoring record that had positioned him as a potential late-round selection or undrafted free agent target for teams seeking shooting guards with playmaking ability.[33] Immediately following the draft, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz to join their roster for the NBA Summer League, providing an opportunity to impress NBA scouts and front-office personnel in a competitive setting.[34] Abmas appeared in four games for the Jazz during the 2024 NBA Summer League, split between the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas events, averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 23.9 minutes per game while shooting 45.2% from the field, 41.2% from three-point range, and 77.8% from the free-throw line. His performance highlighted his quick release and off-ball movement, though limited minutes in the early Salt Lake City games (including just 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting in 7 minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 9) gave way to increased opportunities in Las Vegas.[35] A standout moment came in the Jazz's 88-79 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on July 18, where Abmas scored a game-high 19 points on 4-of-9 field goals (including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc) and 9-of-12 free throws, adding 2 assists and 1 steal in 25 minutes to demonstrate his scoring efficiency under pressure.[36] Overall, his Summer League showing earned praise for his basketball IQ and shot creation, contributing to subsequent invitations to the Jazz's training camp.[37]Utah Jazz and G League (2024–present)
Following his performance in the 2024 NBA Summer League, Max Abmas signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz on September 16, 2024.[38] He was waived by the Jazz on October 8, 2024, as part of final preseason roster cuts.[39] Shortly thereafter, Abmas joined the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz's NBA G League affiliate, appearing on their 2024-25 training camp roster announced on October 28, 2024.[40] In the 2024-25 G League season, Abmas established himself as a starting guard for the Stars, averaging 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game across 34 appearances while shooting 41.2% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range.[6] His playmaking stood out, with a 24.6% assist percentage ranking third on the team, contributing to the Stars' offensive flow through efficient ball-handling and transition opportunities.[41] A highlight came on January 20, 2025, when he erupted for a career-high 34 points, including 10 three-pointers on 61% field-goal shooting, powering a dominant road win over the Rip City Remix.[42][43] Abmas returned to the Jazz on an Exhibit 10 contract on October 6, 2025, participating in preseason activities before being waived again on October 14, 2025.[44][45] As of November 19, 2025, he has remained with the Stars for the ongoing 2025-26 G League season, where through three games he has averaged 15.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game, without any NBA call-ups or two-way contract elevation, focusing on development in the G League while maintaining his role as a key perimeter contributor.[6]Playing style and physical profile
Physical attributes
Abmas plays as a point guard, a position that aligns with his role as a primary ball-handler and scorer.[1] Abmas stands at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) tall and weighs approximately 175 pounds (79 kg).[1] These dimensions, particularly his relatively modest height and wingspan for an NBA guard, influence his on-court presence by emphasizing quickness and skill over physical dominance.[6]Playing style
Max Abmas operates as a combo guard, blending scoring prowess with playmaking instincts to facilitate offenses effectively. His elite three-point shooting stands out, particularly from NBA range, where he excels in both catch-and-shoot situations and pull-up jumpers off the dribble, converting at high efficiency on high volume despite defensive pressure.[46][47] Abmas demonstrates strong off-ball movement, relocating seamlessly to create space for spot-up opportunities, allowing him to contribute as a secondary scorer in multi-guard lineups.[48] As a ball-handler, Abmas showcases solid court vision and passing ability, capable of threading passes in pick-and-roll scenarios and delivering kick-outs to shooters, though his primary role leans toward scoring over elite creation.[47][49] His scoring versatility extends inside the arc with crafty finishes around the rim, using changes in speed and body control to navigate traffic effectively, complemented by near-flawless free-throw execution.[47] Abmas's undersized frame at 6 feet presents defensive challenges, as he can struggle against larger wings in physical matchups, often relying on positioning rather than on-ball denial. However, his quickness provides advantages in recovery and perimeter navigation, enabling him to generate steals through anticipation.[46][47] Comparisons to smaller guards like Trae Young highlight Abmas's fearless shot-making and feel for the game, though he lacks Young's elite passing volume, positioning him more as a scoring-oriented complement in NBA systems.[50][46] In his professional career with the Utah Jazz's G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, Abmas continues to emphasize efficient shot selection and defensive effort, adapting his quickness to pro speeds while maintaining his shooting edge to carve out a role as a microwave scorer.[47]Awards and honors
College awards
During his college career at Oral Roberts University from 2019 to 2023, Max Abmas earned numerous accolades in the Summit League, including being named the league's Player of the Year twice. As a sophomore in the 2020–21 season, he captured the Summit League Player of the Year award after leading the nation in scoring at 24.5 points per game and guiding Oral Roberts to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. He repeated as Summit League Player of the Year in the 2022–23 season, averaging 20.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while setting a league record for career three-pointers made with 301. Abmas was also selected to the All-Summit League First Team for three consecutive seasons from 2020–21 to 2022–23, recognizing his consistent scoring and playmaking contributions. Abmas received national recognition for his performance, including the 2021 Lou Henson Award, presented by CollegeInsider.com to the top mid-major player in Division I men's basketball, honoring his leadership in Oral Roberts' Cinderella NCAA Tournament run. In 2023, he was named to the NABC Division I All-America Third Team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, acknowledging his senior-season averages of 20.7 points and 3.3 assists per game. Additionally, he earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors in both the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons for his scoring prowess, becoming the first Oral Roberts player to receive such distinction since 2012.[3][51][52] In his graduate transfer season at the University of Texas in 2023–24, Abmas garnered Big 12 Conference honors, including selection to the All-Big 12 Second Team and the All-Newcomer Team after averaging 16.8 points and 4.1 assists per game. He was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week three times during the season—for the weeks of December 18, 2023, January 15, 2024, and February 5, 2024—highlighting standout performances such as a 31-point game against Cincinnati. Abmas also received preseason recognition, earning a spot on the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team in October 2023.[53][54][55] Academically, Abmas excelled, earning three-time Academic All-Summit League honors from 2021 to 2023 and the Daktronics Summit League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in 2023 for his 3.81 GPA in mathematics (pre-med concentration). In 2024, he was named the College Sports Communicators NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Academic All-America Team Member of the Year, the highest academic honor in college basketball, after maintaining a strong academic record while becoming the eighth-leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,132 career points. At Oral Roberts, Abmas set program records, including single-season scoring with 686 points in 2020–21 and career three-pointers made with 301, underscoring his impact on the Golden Eagles' offense.[56][57][3]Professional accomplishments
Following his college career at Texas, where he established himself as one of the nation's top scorers, Max Abmas transitioned to professional basketball as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NBA Draft. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz on September 16, 2024, providing an opportunity to compete for a spot on the roster or G League affiliate.[38] In the 2024 NBA Summer League, Abmas showcased his scoring ability for the Jazz, highlighted by a strong performance of 23 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in a victory over the Detroit Pistons on July 21, 2024, helping to secure his professional entry. Over four games, he shot efficiently from beyond the arc, making seven of 17 three-point attempts.[58][59] Assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League for the 2024–25 season, Abmas emerged as a key contributor as a rookie, appearing in 16 regular-season games while averaging 14.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 29.3 minutes per game, shooting 90.0% from the free-throw line. He added two playoff games, averaging 23.0 points and 2.0 assists. Among his milestones, he recorded a career-high 34 points on 61% shooting, including a personal-best 10 three-pointers, in a win over the Rip City Remix on January 20, 2025. He also posted 28 points and eight assists in a game against the Oklahoma City Blue during the season.[6][60] In October 2025, Abmas signed another Exhibit 10 contract with the Jazz on October 6 but was waived on October 14; he rejoined the Stars on October 16 for the 2025–26 season. Through early games as of November 2025, he averaged 15.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game.[45][61]Personal life and education
Academic achievements
Max Abmas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Oral Roberts University in the spring of 2023, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.81 GPA in a math/pre-med concentration that included a chemistry emphasis.[62][56] During his time at Oral Roberts, Abmas maintained a cumulative GPA above 3.7 while serving as the team's leading scorer, demonstrating his ability to manage rigorous coursework alongside demanding athletic commitments.[63][64] After transferring to the University of Texas at Austin for his final collegiate season, Abmas completed a graduate certificate in Strategic Communication in the spring of 2024, achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA.[65][66] This accomplishment underscored his continued academic excellence amid the pressures of competing in the Big 12 Conference, where he started in all 34 games and contributed significantly to the team's performance.[5] Abmas's scholarly dedication earned him the 2024 CSC Academic All-America Division I Men's Basketball Team Member of the Year award, the highest individual honor in the program, recognizing student-athletes with a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA who participate in at least 90% of their team's games or start in 66% of them, while excelling athletically.[67][68] He was also named to the first-team Academic All-America, becoming the first men's basketball player in University of Texas history to receive the Team Member of the Year distinction and only the third overall student-athlete from the institution to do so.[57] These honors highlight the impact of his balanced approach, as he sustained top-tier academic performance despite averaging 16.8 points per game in a high-stakes Division I environment.[3]Personal background
Max Abmas was born on April 2, 2001, in Rockwall, Texas, to parents Troy and Erika Abmas, who instilled a strong work ethic in their family from an early age.[69][7] His father, Troy, works in cybersecurity and played high school football in Shreveport, Louisiana, while his mother, Erika, is a respiratory therapist; both parents emphasized discipline and perseverance, influences that have shaped Abmas's approach to life beyond the court.[70] Abmas has an older brother, Maison, and a younger sister, Mya.[70] As of 2025, Abmas resides in the Salt Lake City area, where he has settled following his signing with the Utah Jazz organization and subsequent play with the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League.[38][71] This move to Utah represents a new chapter in his personal life, allowing him to build a stable home base amid his professional commitments in the region.[72] Abmas has faced personal challenges, including being overlooked by major college programs during high school recruitment despite his talent, which fueled his determination to prove doubters wrong through relentless effort.[8] In one notable instance during seventh grade, after getting into trouble at school, his father enforced a punishment by making him miss an AAU basketball game, reinforcing lessons in accountability that Abmas carries into adulthood.[8] These experiences have motivated him to embrace a fearless, optimistic mindset, viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth and leadership in his personal endeavors.[73][74]Career statistics
College statistics
Max Abmas concluded his college basketball career with impressive scoring prowess, averaging 19.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game across 157 appearances for Oral Roberts University (ORU) and the University of Texas.[3] His efficiency from beyond the arc stood out, with a career three-point shooting percentage of 38.8%, complemented by a 44.6% field goal rate and 88.1% free-throw accuracy, underscoring his reliability as a perimeter shooter and finisher.[3] The following table summarizes Abmas's per-season statistics during his time at ORU (2019–2023) and Texas (2023–2024):| Season | School | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | ORU | 31 | 29.5 | 14.5 | 2.2 | 1.4 | .411 | .366 | .818 |
| 2020–21 | ORU | 28 | 37.0 | 24.5 | 3.2 | 3.8 | .477 | .429 | .890 |
| 2021–22 | ORU | 30 | 36.8 | 22.8 | 3.4 | 3.7 | .422 | .389 | .850 |
| 2022–23 | ORU | 34 | 36.0 | 21.9 | 4.4 | 4.0 | .436 | .373 | .919 |
| 2023–24 | Texas | 34 | 35.1 | 16.8 | 3.1 | 4.1 | .425 | .362 | .900 |
| Career | Both | 157 | 34.8 | 19.9 | 3.3 | 3.4 | .446 | .388 | .881 |
Professional statistics
In his rookie professional season with the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League during 2024–25, Max Abmas appeared in 34 regular-season games, averaging 25.0 minutes per game, 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 0.9 steals while shooting 41.3% from the field, 38.2% from three-point range, and 80.9% from the free-throw line.[75] He contributed further in the playoffs, playing in 2 games for the Stars with averages of 28.0 minutes, 23.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals, shooting 38.7% from the field, 29.4% from three, and 90.9% from the line.[75] Overall, Abmas logged 906 total minutes across 36 professional games in his debut year, demonstrating improved playmaking efficiency compared to his college output.[75][45]| Category | Regular Season (34 GP) | Playoffs (2 GP) |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 13.6 | 23.0 |
| Rebounds | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Assists | 4.2 | 2.0 |
| Steals | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| FG% | 41.3% | 38.7% |
| 3P% | 38.2% | 29.4% |
| FT% | 80.9% | 90.9% |
