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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. on April 16, 1947, is a retired American basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Standing at an imposing 7 feet 2 inches tall, Abdul-Jabbar dominated the game with his unmatched scoring ability, shot-blocking prowess, and skyhook shot.
Abdul-Jabbar’s basketball career began at Power Memorial Academy in New York City, where he led his team to a 71-game winning streak and three straight city championships. He continued his success at UCLA, where he played under legendary coach John Wooden and won three national championships. During his college career, Abdul-Jabbar was a three-time NCAA Player of the Year and set numerous records that still stand today.
After being selected first overall in the 1969 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, Abdul-Jabbar quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the professional ranks. He won his first NBA championship in 1971 with the Bucks and earned the first of his six league MVP awards in 1971.
In 1975, Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend the remainder of his career. It was in Los Angeles that he truly solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. He won five more NBA championships with the Lakers (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) and became the league’s all-time leading scorer, a record he still holds today.
Abdul-Jabbar’s signature skyhook shot was nearly impossible to defend, and his footwork and basketball IQ made him a versatile player on both ends of the court. He was named an All-Star a record 19 times and was selected to the All-NBA First Team a record 15 times.
Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar has been a vocal advocate for social justice and civil rights, using his platform to speak out on issues such as racial inequality and police brutality. He is also a prolific author, writing several books on topics ranging from basketball to history and politics.
In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in recognition of his contributions to the game of basketball and his work as a cultural ambassador.
Today, Abdul-Jabbar’s impact on the game of basketball and society as a whole continues to be felt. His legacy as a player and as a humanitarian is one that will endure for generations to come.
