Nader enrolled at Northern Illinois University and appeared in all 31 games starting in 29 of them. He averaged a team-best 10.4 points, third among MAC freshmen; and 4.2 rebounds, second-best among MAC freshmen. Nader recorded 21 steals and a team-high 22 blocked shots, the best among conference freshmen. He made his first collegiate start in the season opener at Purdue, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds. Abdel scored in double figures in 17 games, including three games of 20-plus points as well as having a season-best 26 points against Ball State. Nader's freshman season earned him MAC All-Freshman Team honors.
Sophomore season
Nader began the season as a preseason All-MAC West selection. He started 18 of the 19 games he played in, leading the team in scoring at 13.1 points while averaging 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and shooting 77.2 percent from the free-throw line. He scored in double figures 13 times, including three games with 20-plus points. Abdel posted 23 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range against Central Michigan. He was named MAC West Player of the Week on Feb 4 after averaging 22.5 points and 11.0 rebounds during the week. In spite of Nader's contributions, the Huskies finished last in the MAC West division and had a 5 - 15 team record overall, and it was reported that he would be transferring to another school.
Junior season
Nader eventually transferred to Iowa State. He had to sit out the 2013–2014 season, becoming eligible again for the 2014–15 season. He saw action in 32 games, averaging 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game. He was tied for second on the team with 16 blocked shots. Abdel grabbed six boards, two blocks, two steals, and hit 6-of-10 field goals, including 4-of-6 behind the arc to score 19 points in Iowa State's victory at Iowa. He matched his season-high with 19 points at West Virginia. Nader scored 11 points and had six rebounds at home against Kansas State, he scored seven consecutive points in key second-half run against the Wildcats and blocked a fastbreak layup with 2:48 left that would have given the Wildcats the lead. Nader averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds when playing at least 20 minutes, ISU was 8–1 in those games.
On June 24, 2016, Nader was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 58th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He then joined the Celtics for the 2016 NBA Summer League. On October 31, 2016, he was acquired by the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League. On April 14, 2017, he was named the 2016–17 NBA Development League Rookie of the Year, becoming the first internationally-born player to be named NBA D-League Rookie of the Year and the third Red Claws player to earn the honor. Nader averaged 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 40 games, propelling the Red Claws to a 29–21 record and the Eastern Conference's second seed in the 2017 NBA D-League Playoffs. In addition to shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, Nader recorded a team-high 99 three-pointers. He also tallied 16 points, four rebounds and four assists during the 2017 D-League All-Star Game in New Orleans.
Boston Celtics (2017–2018)
On July 14, 2017, Nader agreed to a 4-year, $6M deal with the Celtics. He made his NBA debut on October 18 against the Milwaukee Bucks. During his rookie season, he received multiple assignments to the Maine Red Claws. In four games with the Red Claws, he averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Nader posted 3.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game with the Celtics.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2018–present)
On July 23, 2018, Nader was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Rodney Purvis. Oklahoma City also received cash considerations in the deal. On November 28, 2019, Nader scored his career-high 23 points with two rebounds in a 136–119 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Career statistics
NBA
Regular season
Playoffs
College
Personal life
Nader moved with his family to the United States at the age of 8 and cites Skokie, Illinois as his hometown. He speaks fluent Arabic. He majored in liberal studies at Iowa State University.
