Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. on April 16, 1947, is a former American professional basketball player and current assistant coach. Known as Lew Alcindor before converting to Islam and changing his name in 1971, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history. In addition to his sports career, Abdul-Jabbar has made numerous appearances on television and in films.
Born in Harlem, New York City, Abdul-Jabbar grew up in a well-educated family; his father was a Juilliard-trained trombonist. He attended Power Memorial High School in New York before enrolling at UCLA. While on the freshman team, he led them to a victory over UCLA’s varsity squad, which had already won two national championships. During his varsity years, the team secured three consecutive national titles.
At UCLA, the NCAA had banned dunking, prompting Abdul-Jabbar to perfect his signature hook shot, famously known as the “skyhook.” He also earned a degree in history during his time at the university.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Biography
Alcindor was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA Draft. During his time with the Bucks, he led the league in scoring twice and won three MVP awards. In 1975, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he earned three additional MVP honors and helped the team secure five NBA championships.
Abdul-Jabbar continued playing in the NBA until 1989, retiring as the league’s all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points. He was also among the top ten most accurate shooters and ranked third in career blocks. In recognition of his remarkable career, Abdul-Jabbar was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played 20 seasons in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Over 1,560 regular-season games, he averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. He was selected to 19 All-Star games and earned numerous accolades, including the Rookie of the Year award, six MVP awards, two Finals MVP awards, and six NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Facts
Member of three UCLA Bruins national championship teams, 1967, 1968 and 1969.
Known for his "skyhook" shot, which he developed as a response to the NCAA ban on the dunk shot. It is a difficult shot to defend as the ball is released at the top of the arc.
After converting to Islam in 1971, he changed his name from Lew Alcindor Jr. to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In Arabic, his name means a noble and powerful servant of Allah.
Wearing number 33, the seven-foot-two-inch center was selected to 19 NBA All-Star games during 20 seasons in the pros, five times with the Milwaukee Bucks and 14 times with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Won six NBA championships: once with the Milwaukee Bucks, in 1971, and five times with the Los Angeles Lakers, in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988.
Won six NBA MVP awards: 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980.
Career NBA records include most field goals made: 15,837; most points: 38,387; and most minutes played: 57,446.
He has authored several biographical and cultural books, has written articles for various magazines and newspapers, and has appeared in numerous films and TV shows.
He studied under his friend, the late martial artist Bruce Lee, in the 1960s, and appeared with him in the film, "Game of Death," in 1978.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Achievements
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 1995
6-time NBA champion: 1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988
10 NBA Finals appearances: 1971, 1974, 1980, 1982–1985, 1987–1989
6-time NBA Most Valuable Player: 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980
2-time scoring champion: 1971, 1972
1-time rebounding leader: 1976
4-time blocks leader: 1975–1976, 1979–1980
1-time field goal percentage leader: 1977
19-time NBA All-Star: 1970–1977, 1979–1989
2-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: 1971, 1985
15-time All-NBA selection
First Team: 1971–1974, 1976–1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986
Second Team: 1970, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1985
11-time All-Defensive selection:
First Team: 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981
Second Team: 1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1984
NBA All-Rookie selection:
First Team: 1970
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1970
6-time The Sporting News Most Valuable Player: 1971, 1972, 1974,1976, 1977, 1980
Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year: 1985
Ranked #7 by SLAM Magazine's Top 50 Players of All-time
Selected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"
Selected in 1996 as member of one of the "Top 10 Teams in NBA History"
1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers (65–17; .793)
A statue of Abdul-Jabbar was unveiled in front of Staples Center on Chick Hearn Court in Los Angeles on November 16, 2012.
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