Denver Nuggets guard Chris Jackson almost certainly isn't headed for the NBA playoffs, so he has booked a trip to a more alluring spot - Mecca.
Jackson, who became a Muslim in 1991, plans to make a pilgrimage in May to the sacred city of Islam. He also intends to legally change his name before the start of next season.His Muslim name is Mahmoud Abdul Rauf, and that's the one you'll see in scoring summaries.
"I don't have to (legally) change my name but I definitely will. I'm taking a trip to Mecca (in Saudi Arabia) on May 22 with some Muslim friends. And when I get back, I plan on changing my name legally . . . for the newspapers (and other media).
"I have so many people who call me by my Muslim name - a lot of Muslims, a lot of friends - so they're getting comfortable with it. Even my wife (Kim) calls me by that name."
Jackson said his Muslim name means "attribute of Prophet Muhammad and of God; it's elegant and praiseworthy, most merciful and most kind."
As part of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims, Jackson has been fasting from sunrise to sunset. He also prays five times daily year-round.
All able Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once and to take part in ceremonies that include walking seven times around the Kaaba (holy shrine) and kissing the sacred Black Stone in its wall. The pilgrimage traditionally concludes with the Festival of Sacrifice, when Muslims sacrifice a sheep, goat or camel and usually give the meat to the poor.
At the end, Muslims exchange gifts.
"Ever since I've heard about it, I've wanted to go," Jackson said.
After two poor seasons with the Nuggets, Jackson now leads the team in scoring (18.9 per game) and assists (4.4) and is second in the NBA in free-throw shooting (91.9). He attributes much of his success to his new faith.
"Ever since I converted, I feel a kind of peace. The only total peace you can have is to be with God. But I feel better about things. My heart is better, my work ethic is better, everything in my life seems to be better. And I give God all the glory of that."
Jackson said his family and friends have been supportive of his decision to become a Muslim.
"A lot of guys in my hometown (Gulfport, Miss.) are interested (in converting), so I do a lot of talking with them and communicating with them, by sending them materials and stuff.
"(Other) people in my hometown have been cool with it - they have no choice.
"My wife has no problem whatsoever with it. She respects it totally. She's Catholic, so it's hard for her to understand a lot of things. But we do a lot of talking, and that's what you need to do."