Zaid Abdul-Aziz Returns To Ames

AMES, Iowa ? Former Iowa State All-American Zaid Abdul-Aziz is in Ames this week to promote his new book, Darkness to Sunlight: The Life-Changing Journey of Zaid Abdul-Aziz.

Abdul-Aziz is without question one of the best basketball players to ever don a Cyclone uniform. An All-American selection in 1968, Abdul-Aziz is one of only two Cyclones in school history to earn first-team all-conference three times (Jeff Grayer was the other). As a senior in 1968, Abdul-Aziz was named Big Eight Player of the Year and was selected as the fifth pick in the 1968 NBA Draft. Abdul-Aziz and former Kansas All-American and NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain were the first two players in Big Eight history to score over 600 points in a season twice.

Abdul-Aziz enjoyed a 10-year NBA playing career, playing for the Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle Supersonics, Houston Rockets, Buffalo Braves and Boston Celtics before retiring after the 1977-78 season. His jersey (No. 35) is one of six jerseys retired and hanging in the Hilton Coliseum rafters. He is one of eight automatic qualifiers to ISU's All-Century Team that will be announced next season in celebration of 100 years of ISU men's hoops.

Abdul-Aziz will have a book signing at the University Book Store in the Memorial Union from 10-12 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21. He will also be a special guest among Cyclone Alley at the Iowa State-Colorado men's basketball game Wednesday night (Feb. 21).

Cyclones.com had a chance to catch up with Abdul-Aziz about his book and return to Ames. Click the link above to see an exclusive interview with Abdul-Aziz.

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