Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about Tariq Abdul-Wahad, a former NBA player:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Olivier Michael Saint-Jean (changed his name to Tariq Abdul-Wahad after converting to Islam)
  • Nationality: French
  • Age: Born on November 3, 1974
  • Hometown: Maisons-Alfort, France
  • Height: 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
  • Weight: 235 pounds (107 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 9, 5, 3, and 11
  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Lycee Aristide Briand in France
  • College:
    • Michigan (1993–1994)
    • San Jose State University (1995–1997)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 1st round (11th overall pick) in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings
  • Teams Played For:
    • Sacramento Kings (1997–1999)
    • Orlando Magic (1999)
    • Denver Nuggets (1999–2000)
    • Dallas Mavericks (2000–2003)
  • Championship Rings: None in the NBA
  • Kids: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Tariq Abdul-Wahad’s player archetype was that of a physical two-way wing, a strong slashing guard-forward who leaned on toughness, body control, and defensive intensity more than finesse scoring or high-volume shooting. At 6-foot-6 and roughly 223 pounds, he had the frame to defend up a position, and defensively he fit as a rugged perimeter stopper who could pressure wings, fight through contact, and bring real edge on the ball. Offensively, he was at his best as a downhill attacker and complementary scorer, using his strength to get inside, finish through traffic, and capitalize in transition rather than operate as a pure shot-maker from deep. His overall play style was forceful and competitive, blending wing size, defensive grit, and straight-line scoring into the profile of a hard-nosed rotation player whose identity started with physicality. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Tariq Abdul-Wahad Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
NBA.com — Tariq Abdul-Wahad | Forward-Guard | Sacramento Kings
Basketball-Reference — 1998-99 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats
Basketball-Reference — 1999-00 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats