Adel's Professional Basketball Journey: From the NBA to Global Leagues
The path of a professional athlete is rarely a straight line. For Adel, the journey has been a global odyssey, spanning the highest levels of North American basketball to competitive leagues in Europe and Australia. From the intensity of the NBA to the strategic play of the NBL, Adel's career is a testament to persistence and versatility on the court.
Key Facts
- NBA Debut: January 19, 2019, with the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Denver Nuggets.
- Career High: Scored a franchise-record 37 points for the Ottawa Blackjacks on May 26, 2022.
- Global Reach: Has played professionally in the USA, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Bulgaria, and France.
- G League Impact: Averaged 12.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game during his tenure with Raptors 905.
Early Professional Steps and the NBA Dream
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Adel began his professional pursuit by signing with the Houston Rockets for the NBA Summer League. His journey toward the main stage continued on September 14, 2018, when he signed a training camp contract with the Toronto Raptors. Although he appeared in two preseason games, he was waived on October 12.
Adel transitioned to the G League (the NBA's official minor league) by joining the Raptors 905. He quickly established himself as a productive player, averaging 12.0 points and 5.4 rebounds across 31.3 minutes per game through mid-December.
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Breaking Into the NBA
The breakthrough came on January 15, 2019, when Adel signed a two-way contract—a specific NBA agreement allowing a player to be shared between the NBA and G League—with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He made his official NBA debut on January 19, 2019, against the Denver Nuggets, contributing three points and two rebounds in five minutes of action. During his time with the Cavaliers, he averaged 1.7 points, 1 rebound, and 0.3 assists per game.
Navigating the G League and International Transitions
In July 2019, Adel signed with the Brooklyn Nets but was waived in October, leading him to join the Long Island Nets. His time there was highlighted by a standout performance on November 29, where he recorded a season-high 29 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Despite an undisclosed injury in January 2020, he finished the stint averaging 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
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The Australian NBL Experience
Adel expanded his horizons on July 23, 2020, by signing with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia. His tenure was marked by both struggle and resilience; he set an NBL record for the most field goal attempts without a make (0–15) during a game against the Cairns Taipans on February 20, 2021. Coach Brian Goorjian noted that injuries hampered his output during the season. Adel and the Hawks mutually parted ways on May 3, 2021, with career averages of 5.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Global Circuit and Return to Canada
Adel's career continued with a brief stint with the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League from October 2021 to March 2022. He then moved to the Canadian Elite Basketball League, signing with the Ottawa Blackjacks on February 23, 2022. He made an immediate impact, scoring a franchise-record 37 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in his debut against the Fraser Valley Bandits on May 26.
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European Ventures and Recent Activity
Adel's career took him to Europe in 2022 and 2023, signing with the Bakken Bears of the Danish Basketligaen and later BC Balkan Botevgrad of the Bulgarian National Basketball League. He also spent time with Boulazac Basket Dordogne in the French LNB Pro B starting in July 2023.
Between these international stops, Adel returned to the Ottawa Blackjacks for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Most recently, on April 15, 2024, he signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2024–25 NBL season. However, his progress was interrupted on November 28, 2024, when a hand injury sustained in practice ruled him out for six weeks.
Career Summary Table
| Period | Team | League | Notable Stat/Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | Raptors 905 | NBA G League | 12.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG |
| 2019 | Cleveland Cavaliers | NBA | NBA Debut (Jan 19, 2019) |
| 2019–2020 | Long Island Nets | NBA G League | Season-high 29 points |
| 2020–2021 | Illawarra Hawks | NBL (Australia) | 5.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG |
| 2022 | Ottawa Blackjacks | CEBL (Canada) | Franchise-record 37 points |
| 2022 | Bakken Bears | Basketligaen (Denmark) | Signed July 26, 2022 |
| 2023 | BC Balkan Botevgrad | NBBL (Bulgaria) | Signed March 3, 2023 |
| 2023–2024 | Boulazac Basket Dordogne | LNB Pro B (France) | Signed July 12, 2023 |
| 2024–2025 | Brisbane Bullets | NBL (Australia) | Currently active (injured Nov 2024) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Adel make his NBA debut?
Adel made his NBA debut on January 19, 2019, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in a game against the Denver Nuggets.
What is Adel's highest scoring game in professional basketball?
His highest recorded scoring performance was a franchise-record 37 points for the Ottawa Blackjacks on May 26, 2022.
Which leagues has Adel played in outside of North America?
Adel has played in the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia, the Basketligaen in Denmark, the National Basketball League in Bulgaria, and the LNB Pro B in France.
What happened during Adel's time with the Illawarra Hawks?
While playing for the Hawks, Adel set an NBL record for the most field goal attempts without a make (0–15) and struggled with injuries that his coach believed affected his performance.
What is Adel's current status with the Brisbane Bullets?
Adel signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2024–25 season, but as of November 28, 2024, he is sidelined for six weeks due to a broken hand suffered during practice.