Las Positas Soccer Stalwart Comes From Great Sports Family

Versatile sophomore Amine Abdelouahid is not only a strong leader on the Las Positas College men's soccer team, but he also comes from an impressive sports family.

Amine's father, Tariq Abdul-Wahad, played for the NBA's Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic, Denver Nuggets, and Dallas Mavericks. Amine's sister, Hind, plays professional tennis after competing at Saint Mary's College. His little brother, Anas, who's turning 17 in October, is already playing in pro tennis tournaments.
So, it's not surprising that Amine, a Willow Glen High-San Jose graduate, has a serious mindset at the center back position. It's in his genes.
"He has a great family foundation and a lot of support all around him," LPC coach Andy Cumbo says of Amine, a transfer from Chico State who plays with an "edge to him."

Clearly, Cumbo appreciates what Amine brings to a team that lost most of its players from last season's playoff squad. He asked Amine, normally a right midfielder, to switch to the back line to bolster the young squad, and Amine accepted the challenge: "It's a different position, but it's what you have to do for the team," Amine said.
Abdelouahid and Arnaud Mantuidi, versatile players who are fluent in French, have formed a strong partnership in the center of the defense.
"I'd say I'm an unspoken leader," Abdelouahid said recently of his role. "I don't really talk much, but everyone listens to what I have to say … I'd say I'm a competitor. Every time you're on the field you have to give it your all. So, competitor, leader. Those are my strengths."
Las Positas (3-5-1), which fell to unbeaten Fresno City 2-0 on Sept. 27, played a tough nonconference schedule in preparation for Coast Conference-South Division action. The Hawks will open conference play at Cabrillo on Tuesday, Oct. 1 before hosting rival Canada-Redwood City at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4.
Cumbo describes Amine, who wears his dad's old No. 9, as "super athletic," humble and a fierce competitor.
"His personality in training and on game day, he's super competitive with himself and his teammates, everyone around him," Cumbo said.
He also has a nice touch. Amine even had a deft assist on the clinching goal by Dimitrios Vonich in a 2-0 win over Lake Tahoe on Sept. 24.
The Hawks have stabilized overall after a difficult stretch early in the season. They are 2-2-1 over their last five games, including working two shutouts.
"It was a rough start in the beginning and now we're doing pretty well," Amine said before the Fresno City game. "I think we're getting lot better as a group in how we play together in our positions. Yeah, it's going better. We're getting a little better every day."
Amine was born in Sacramento and grew up in San Jose. His dad, formerly Olivier Saint-Jean, who was born in Maisons-Alfort near Paris, France, starred on the basketball court for San Jose State after transferring from Michigan. He was part of a Spartans team that won the 1996 Big West Conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
A product of Santa Clara Sporting in club play, Amine is also succeeding in the classroom.
"He's moving forward in his life," Cumbo said. "After this semester he'll have his AA degree. He has all the tools to be a four-year transfer, but we've got a lot to do this season."