Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born on April 16, 1947, in New York City, is an American retired professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Abdul-Jabbar started his professional career with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969 before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975, where he won multiple titles, including five NBA Championships.

Abdul-Jabbar is known for his exceptional skill, strength, scoring ability, and versatility. He has won numerous individual awards, including six MVP titles, and holds multiple records, such as the most points in NBA history.

Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar is also recognized for his activism and influence, making significant contributions to civil rights causes and inspiring millions worldwide.

Milwaukee Bucks

• Youth and Early Career: Abdul-Jabbar was born and raised in New York City and attended UCLA for college, where he was a star player. He was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the first overall pick in the 1969 NBA Draft.

Los Angeles Lakers

• Championship Success: Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975. Under the guidance of coach Pat Riley, he developed into an integral part of the Lakers' 'Showtime' era, winning five NBA Championships and three of his six MVP awards during his time with the Lakers.

United States National Team

• Debut: Made his debut for the United States National Team in 1964.

Achievements:

• Gold Medal at Summer Olympics: Winner in 1964.
• Abdul-Jabbar chose not to play in the 1968 Olympics in protest of the treatment of African-Americans in the United States.

• Position: Primarily a center.
• Skills: Known for his skyhook shot, scoring ability, rebounding, and shot-blocking. Abdul-Jabbar is celebrated for his basketball IQ, leadership, and defensive prowess.

• Family: Abdul-Jabbar has five children. He was married to Habiba Abdul-Jabbar but they divorced in 1978.
• Activism: Abdul-Jabbar has been involved in various civil rights activities and has written books and articles on the subject.

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his activism, determination, and longevity in professional basketball. His impact on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the court, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

All-Time Leading Scorer in NBA:

• 38,387 points

Most Valuable Player Awards:

• Won six MVP awards

NBA Championships:

• Won six NBA Championships

Most All-Star Selections:

• Selected to 19 All-Star Games

Books

• Abdul-Jabbar, K., & Steinberg, A. (2000). A Season on the Reservation: My Soujourn with the White Mountain Apache. New York: William Morrow.
• Abdul-Jabbar, K., & Obstfeld, R. (2015). Kareem: My Life. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Websites

• NBA: Information about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.nba.com
• Los Angeles Lakers: Details about Abdul-Jabbar’s career at the Los Angeles Lakers. Available at: https://www.lakers.com

Articles

• ESPN: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2246/kareem-abdul-jabbar
• The Guardian: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/kareem-abdul-jabbar

Interviews and Documentaries

• On the Shoulders of Giants (2011): Directed by Deborah Morales. This documentary provides a detailed look at Abdul-Jabbar’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com