WHEN IT COMES TO PLAYING in an arena with no crowd noise, Abdel Nader has had his fair share of experiences.
During his freshman and sophomore seasons in college at Northern Illinois University, Nader recalled only a small pocket of fans during several games. During the 2016-17 season for the Brooklyn Nets’ G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, the team played in the 18,000-seat Barclays Center with little to no fans. That season, then rookie Abdel Nader experienced the hush of an empty NBA arena as a member of the visiting Maine Red Claws.
“I definitely remember playing that game,” said Nader with a grin.