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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Yahoo from Sunnyvale, California, USA · CC BY 2.0 · source
NameKareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a renowned American former professional basketball player and coach who played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., he converted to Islam and changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971, inspired by Imam W. Deen Mohammed and the Nation of Islam. Abdul-Jabbar's basketball career was heavily influenced by his high school coach, Jack Donahue, and college coach, John Wooden, at UCLA. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history, with a record six NBA Most Valuable Player awards and six NBA championship titles.

● Early Life and Education

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born in New York City to Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr. and Corine Abdul-Jabbar. He grew up in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan and attended Power Memorial Academy, where he played under coach Jack Donahue and led the team to three New York City Catholic championships. Abdul-Jabbar then went on to play college basketball at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) under the guidance of legendary coach John Wooden, winning three consecutive NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship titles from 1967 to 1969. During his time at UCLA, Abdul-Jabbar was also influenced by his teammates, including Lew Alcindor and Henry Bibby, and developed a strong rivalry with Elvin Hayes of University of Houston.

● Basketball Career

Abdul-Jabbar's professional basketball career spanned 20 seasons, from 1969 to 1989, during which he played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was drafted first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA draft and quickly established himself as a dominant force in the league, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1970. Abdul-Jabbar's playing style was characterized by his signature skyhook shot, which was nearly unstoppable, and his strong defensive presence, which earned him 19 NBA All-Star Game selections and 15 All-NBA Team selections. He played alongside notable teammates, including Oscar Robertson, Bob Lanier, and Magic Johnson, and was coached by Larry Costello and Pat Riley.

● Post-Playing Career

After retiring from professional basketball in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar went on to become a successful coach and author. He served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Seattle SuperSonics, working under coaches Mike Dunleavy and Paul Westphal. Abdul-Jabbar has also written several books, including his autobiography, Giant Steps, and On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance, which explores the history of the Harlem Renaissance and its influence on African American culture. He has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the National Basketball Retired Players Association.

● Personal Life

Abdul-Jabbar has been married twice, first to Janice Brown from 1971 to 1978, and then to Pam Grier from 1982 to 1984. He has three children, Habiba Abdul-Jabbar, Sultana Abdul-Jabbar, and Adam Abdul-Jabbar, and is a practicing Muslim. Abdul-Jabbar has been open about his struggles with leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and has worked to raise awareness about the disease and support research efforts through organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society. He is also an avid stamp collector and has written about his hobby in Stamp Magazine.

● Legacy and Impact

Abdul-Jabbar's legacy extends far beyond his on-court accomplishments, as he has become an iconic figure in American sports and culture. He has been recognized for his contributions to the game by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, and the California Hall of Fame. Abdul-Jabbar's influence can be seen in players like Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant, who have all cited him as a role model and inspiration. He has also been involved in various social and political causes, including the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-apartheid movement, and has worked with organizations like the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

● Awards and Accolades

Throughout his career, Abdul-Jabbar has received numerous awards and accolades, including six NBA Most Valuable Player awards, six NBA championship titles, and 19 NBA All-Star Game selections. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995. Abdul-Jabbar has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2016, the Congressional Gold Medal from the United States Congress in 2017, and the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Basketball Association in 2019. He has been recognized by various organizations, including the National Sports Media Association, the Sporting News, and the ESPN, as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Category:American basketball players

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