Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| Caption | Abdul-Jabbar in 1981 |
| Position | Center |
| Weight lb | 225 |
| Birth date | 16 April 1947 |
| Birth place | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| High school | Power Memorial Academy (Manhattan) |
| College | UCLA (1966–1969) |
| Draft year | 1969 |
| Draft team | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Career start | 1969 |
| Career end | 1989 |
| Career number | 33 |
| Years1 | 1969–1975 |
| Team1 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Years2 | 1975–1989 |
| Team2 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Highlights | * 6× NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) * 2× NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985) * 6× NBA Most Valuable Player (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980) * 19× NBA All-Star (1970–1977, 1979–1989) * 10× All-NBA First Team (1971–1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986) * 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1974, 1975, 1979–1981) * NBA Rookie of the Year (1970) * 2× NBA scoring champion (1971, 1972) * NBA blocks leader (1975, 1976) * NBA rebounding leader (1976) * NBA 75th Anniversary Team * No. 33 retired by Milwaukee Bucks * No. 33 retired by Los Angeles Lakers * National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006) * Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1995) |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport. Over a 20-year career in the NBA, primarily with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, he became the league's all-time leading scorer, a record he held for nearly four decades. Beyond his on-court dominance, he is also a prominent author, cultural critic, and social justice activist, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 for his contributions to society.
Early life and college career
Born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. on April 16, 1947, in New York City, he grew up in the Manhattan neighborhood of Inwood. He attended Power Memorial Academy, where he led his team to three straight New York City Catholic High School Athletic Association championships and a 71-game winning streak. He enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1966 to play for legendary coach John Wooden. As a member of the UCLA Bruins, he was instrumental in the team's unprecedented three consecutive NCAA championships from 1967 to 1969, earning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player honor twice. During his collegiate career, he also became a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, converting to Islam and boycotting the 1968 Summer Olympics in protest.
NBA career
Selected first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA draft, he won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and, in his second season, led the Bucks to the 1971 championship, earning Finals MVP and his first of a record-tying six regular-season MVP awards. In 1975, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he formed a legendary partnership with point guard Magic Johnson. With the Lakers, he won five more NBA titles in the 1980s, securing a second Finals MVP in 1985. He retired in 1989 as the league's all-time leader in points, blocks, and All-Star selections, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Post-playing career and activism
Following his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar pursued a multifaceted career as an author, columnist, and actor, appearing in films like Airplane! and Game of Death. He has written numerous books on history and social issues, including On the Shoulders of Giants. As a regular columnist for publications like the Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter, he has been a vocal commentator on race relations, religious tolerance, and social justice. His advocacy earned him the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented by President Barack Obama in 2016. He has also served as a U.S. Department of State global cultural ambassador.
Personal life
Abdul-Jabbar has five children and resides in Southern California. He was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in 2008, a condition he has managed successfully. A lifelong scholar and historian, his personal interests include collecting jazz memorabilia and studying World War II history. He has been open about his spiritual journey, which led him to convert to Islam in 1971 and change his name, a decision influenced by his mentor, Hamaas Abdul Khaalis.
Legacy and honors
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's legacy is defined by his unparalleled statistical achievements, including his iconic, nearly unblockable skyhook shot, and his sustained cultural impact. His number 33 jersey is retired by both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team, the NBA 50th Anniversary Team, and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Beyond sports, his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and his work as an author and activist cement his status as a significant American intellectual and social figure. The NBA renamed its Social Justice Champion Award in his honor in 2021.
Category:1947 births Category:Living people Category:American basketball players Category:Los Angeles Lakers players Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients