Ater Majok

Ater James "AJ" Majok (born 4 July 1987) is a professional basketball player for Al Ahly Benghazi. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2011 NBA draft with the 58th overall pick.[1] Born in Sudan and raised in Australia, Majok represents Lebanon internationally.

Ater Majok
Majok in 2012
Al Ahly Benghazi
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueRwanda Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1987-07-04) 4 July 1987
Khartoum, Sudan
NationalityLebanese / Australian / South Sudanese
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight234 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High schoolAmerican International School of Sydney
(Sydney, New South Wales)
CollegeUConn (2009–2010)
NBA draft2011: 2nd round, 58th overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career2010–present
Career history
2010FMV Işık Okulları
2010–2011Perth Wildcats
2011Gold Coast Blaze
2011–2012SPU Nitra
2012–2013Tsmoki-Minsk
2013KCC Egis
2013–2014BG Göttingen
2014–2015Los Angeles D-Fenders
2015–2016Trefl Sopot
2016Beijing Eastern Bucks
2016–2017Homenetmen Beirut
2017Luoyang Zhonghe
2017–2018Sagesse Club
2018Al-Muharraq
2018Shaanxi Xinda
2018–2019Champville SC
2019Shaanxi Xinda
2019–2020New Zealand Breakers
2020–2021Al-Arabi
2020–2021US Monastir
2021Beirut Club
2021–2022Ezzahra Sports
2022US Monastir
2022Bucaneros de La Guaira
2022–2023Al Riyadi Beirut
2023Petro de Luanda
2023Patriots
2023-presentAl Ahly Benghazi
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Lebanon
Arab Basketball Championship
Gold medal – first placeDubai 2022

Standing at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), Majok stands out with his athletic and defensive abilities. He was the BAL Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.

High school and college career

Majok was born in Sudan in 1987. He migrated to Sydney through a refugee camp in Egypt. Upon arrival in Sydney, he bonded with a group of young men also from Sudan, called the South Stars basketball team.

He attended high school at St Aloysius' College and Parramatta Marist High School in Sydney, and the American International School in Carlingford where he graduated in 2008.

After graduating, Majok committed to the University of Connecticut. He sat out during the 2008–09 season because he was not cleared to play by the NCAA. In January 2009, Majok joined the UConn roster and was eligible to practice with the squad for the remainder of the season, but was not able to play in games.[2] In April 2009, he declared for the 2009 NBA draft but did not sign with an agent.[3] About a week before the draft, he decided to withdraw his name and returned to UConn.

On 20 December 2009, Majok made his debut with the Huskies. He scored one point and collected three rebounds in 16 minutes of action as a starter.[4]

In September 2010, Majok announced that he was leaving Connecticut, though the reasons as to why remain unclear.[5] In 2009–10, he played in 26 games for the Huskies, averaging 2.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.[6]

Professional career

2010–11 season

In October 2010, Majok signed a two-month deal with FMV Isikspor Istanbul, a 2nd-division Turkish club. He played 7 games for them, averaging 13.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 28.3 minutes. After his contract expired, he left Turkey.

On 24 December 2010, Majok signed a six-week deal with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian NBL as an injury replacement for Jesse Wagstaff and Matthew Knight.[7][8][9] In 8 games for the Wildcats, Majok averaged 7.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Despite his short stint in Perth, Majok became a favourite amongst the Wildcats fans with due to his shot blocking ability, blocking a total of 11 shots in his first three games.[10]

On 12 February 2011, Majok signed with the Gold Coast Blaze for the rest of the 2010–11 season as an injury replacement for Mark Worthington.[11] On 22 March 2011, just days before the Gold Coast's final home game of the 2010–11 NBL season against the Adelaide 36ers, Majok was released by the club so that he could advance his preparations and seek out training-camp opportunities in the United States prior to the 2011 NBA draft.[12] In 6 games for the Blaze, he averaged 2.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.[10]

2011–12 season

On 23 June 2011, Majok was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 58th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.[1] In August 2011, he signed with BK SPU Nitra of Slovakia for the 2011–12 season.[13] In 41 league games for Nitra, he averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.4 assists per game.[14]

2012–13 season

Majok joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2012 NBA Summer League.[15] In 3 games (1 start), he averaged 1.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 15 minutes per game.[16]

In September 2012, he signed a short-term deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel but left a month later before appearing in a game for them. In November 2012, he signed with BC Tsmoki-Minsk for the rest of the 2012–13 season. In 13 VTB United League games for Tsmoki-Minsk, he averaged 4.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.[17]

2013–14 season

On 3 September 2013, Majok signed with KCC Egis of Korea for the 2013–14 season. On 29 October 2013, he was released by Egis after just 12 games. The next day, he signed with Taiwan Beer for the rest of the season. On 12 November 2013, he was released by Taiwan Beer before appearing in a game for them.[18]

On 30 December 2013, he signed with BG Göttingen of Germany for the rest of the season.[19] In 23 games for Göttingen, he averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.[20]

2014–15 season

On 12 December 2014, Majok was acquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League.[21] On 25 February, he was waived by the D-Fenders after suffering a season-ending MCL sprain to his left knee.[22]

2015–16 season

On 1 September 2015, Majok signed with Trefl Sopot of the Polish Basketball League.[23] In 27 games for Trefl, he averaged 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

In May 2016, Majok joined Beijing Eastern Bucks of the Chinese National Basketball League.[24]

2016–17 season

On 21 October 2016, he signed with Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League.[25] In 2017, he received the Lebanese citizenship and represented Lebanon in the 2017 West Asian Championship.

In June 2017, he signed with the Luoyang Zhonghe of the Chinese National Basketball League. In his first game with Luoyang, Majok recorded 24 points, 20 rebounds and 7 blocks in a 123–138 loss to Anhui Wenyi.[26]

2017–18 season

In October 2017, Majok signed with Sagesse Club of the Lebanese Basketball League. In June 2018, Majok signed with Shaanxi Xinda of the Chinese National Basketball League.

2018–19 season

Majok signed with Champville SC in Lebanon on August 16, 2018.[27]

2019–20 season

On 6 August 2019, Majok signed with the New Zealand Breakers for the 2019–20 NBL season.[28]

2020–21 season

On 20 August 2020, Majok signed with Al-Arabi of the Qatari Basketball League.[29]

In February 2020, Majok signed with US Monastir for the 2020 BAL season.[30] The BAL season was however cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Majok was on the roster for the 2021 season.[31]

2021–22 season

On August 30, 2021, Majok signed with Beirut Club of the Lebanese Basketball League.[32]

In October 2021, Majok returned to Tunisia when he signed with Ezzahra Sports.[33]

On March 2, 2022, Majok was announced to be on the roster of US Monastir for the 2022 BAL season, his second stint with the team and his second appearance in the BAL.[34] He played as an African import due to his South Sudanese heritage. Majok and Monastir won the 2022 BAL Finals and captured the club's first African title. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year and was given a place in the league's All-First Team and All-Defensive Team as well.[35][36]

In June 2022, Majok joined the Piratas de La Guaira of the Venezuelan SuperLiga.[37]

2022–23 season

In March 2023, Majok signed with Angolan club Petro de Luanda, the opponents of Monastir in the previous season's BAL final.[38] He only signed a contract for the BAL, and went on to finish fourth with Petro.

In August 2023, Majok joined Rwandan club Patriots BBC for the remainder of the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL).[39]

2023-24 season

In September 2023, Majok joined the Libyan champions Al Ahly Benghazi.[40]

NBA draft rights

On 7 July 2016, Majok's draft rights were acquired by the Chicago Bulls in exchange for José Calderón and two future second-round draft picks.[41]

On 1 September 2017, Majok's draft rights were traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the Chicago Bulls receiving Quincy Pondexter, a 2018 second round pick, and cash considerations. Majok's right was renounced by the Pelicans on 13 September.[42]

BAL career statistics
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
 †  Won an BAL championship
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Monastir 6624.7.462.143.8126.71.0.52.08.3
2022† Monastir 8831.4.613.333.57711.01.9.52.413.6
2023 Petro de Luanda 8120.9.522.000.6965.42.5.51.88.0

National team career

Majok plays internationally for the Lebanon national basketball team.[43] He helped his country win gold at the 2022 Arab Basketball Championship in Dubai.

Personal life

Majok is the son of James Majok and Amer Jacob, and has three brothers, Kashual, Orokey and Jacob and two sisters, Agum and Awod.[44] Majok's cousin, Majok Majok, played college basketball for two seasons at Midland College in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) before transferring to Ball State University (NCAA) for his junior season.[45] He holds Lebanese and Australian passports.

Awards and accomplishments

Club
US Monastir
Shaanxi Xinda
Homenetmen Beirut
  • Henri Chalhoub Tournament champion: (2017)
BG Göttingen
Tsmoki-Minsk
SPU Nitra

International
SOUTH SUDAN

Individual

References
  1. "Lakers Trade Draft Rights To Chukwudiebere Maduabum". NBA.com. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  2. At UConn, Wait Is Over for a Warrior From Africa
  3. Man, Basketball (23 April 2009). "Ater Majok to enter NBA draft". Courant.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  4. Ater Majok Non-Factor in Long Awaited UConn Debut
  5. Brennan, Eamonn (1 October 2010). "Ater Majok: Leaving UConn not my choice". ESPN.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  6. "Ater Majok Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  7. "Wildcats sign exciting big man Ater Majok". Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  8. Wildcats sign ex-College player to six-week deal
  9. Perth Wildcats recruit Ater Majok quashes Sydney loyalty talk
  10. Player statistics for Ater Majok
  11. Blaze sign up Sudanese big man
  12. Blaze release Majok for NBA Draft preparations
  13. Nitra signed Ater Majok & Mamadi Diane Archived 2 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ATER MAJOK basketball profile – 2011–12 stats
  15. 2012 Lakers Summer League Team
  16. 2012 Summer League Statistics
  17. ATER MAJOK basketball profile – 2012–13 stats
  18. "General basketball transactions: 2013/14". Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  19. "Ater Majok ersetzt Bobby Davis bei der BG Göttingen". Goettinger-Tageblatt.de (in German). 30 December 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  20. ATER MAJOK basketball profile – 2013–14 stats
  21. D-Fenders Acquire Ater Majok
  22. D-Fenders Acquire Alfred Aboya
  23. "Ater Majok signs with Trefl Sopot". Sportando.com. 1 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  24. Beijing Sport Crushes Jianghuai in the 13th Round of the Chinese National Basketball League
  25. "Ater Majok signs with Homenetmen". Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  26. "Anhui Wenyi 138 - Luoyang Zhonghe 123". EuroBasket. 25 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  27. "Ater Majok signs with Champville". Sportando. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  28. "Breakers Complete Roster With Three Signings". NBL.com.au. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  29. Madwar, Ahmad (20 August 2020). "Ater Majok (ex US Monastir) joins Al Arabi". Asia-basket. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  30. "Ater Majok joins US Monastir". balafricareport.com. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  31. "New signings dominate Basketball Africa League teams' latest moves". FIBA.basketball. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  32. Addasi, Abdul Hamid (30 August 2021). "Beirut Club tabs Ater Majok". Asiabasket. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  33. Chelidze, Dimitri (23 October 2021). "Ezzahra signs Ater Majok, ex Beirut Club". Afrobasket.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  34. Boubaker, Saber Ben (2 March 2022). "Ligue d'Afrique de Basketball : Liste finale de l'US Monastir". Sport By TN (in French). Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  35. "US Monastir are the 2022 Basketball Africa League Champions". The BAL. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  36. "José Neto voted 2022 BAL Coach of the Year". The BAL. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  37. "Piratas add Majok to their roster". Afrobasket.com. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  38. Wane, Amy (10 March 2023). "BAL 2023 : Ater Majok signe au Petro Luanda". Sport News Africa (in French). Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  39. Sikubwabo, Damas (9 August 2023). "Basketball: Competition hots up as APR, Patriots reinforce rosters". The New Times. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  40. Addasi, Abdul Hamid (22 September 2023). "Ater Majok (ex P.Luanda) signs at Ahly Benghazi". Afrobasket.com. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  41. "BULLS TRADE JOSE CALDERON TO LOS ANGELES LAKERS". NBA.com. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  42. "Pelicans Renounce Draft Rights To Ater Majok". RealGM. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  43. "Ater Majok". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  44. "Ater Majok Bio". Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  45. Majok Majok Bio
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