Who Is Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a six-time NBA champion who changed the game of professional basketball. This page provides a quick profile summary about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, containing key biography points, facts, and quotes.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Biography
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired professional basketball player and coach. He is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his 20-year career in the NBA, he played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers and won six NBA championships. He is also the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points. After his playing career, he has been an author and cultural commentator, as well as a coach. He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Fast Facts
Kareem abdul jabbar birthday: April 16, 1947
Kareem abdul jabbar birthplace: Harlem, New York, NY
Kareem abdul jabbar points: 38,387
Kareem abdul jabbar number: 33
Kareem abdul jabbar nickname: Lew, Cap, Tower from Power and Murdock.
How tall is kareem abdul jabbar? 7′ 2″
When did kareem abdul jabbar retire? 1989
How many rings does kareem abdul jabbar have? 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
How many years did kareem abdul-jabbar play in the NBA? 21 seasons (1975-1989)
What position did kareem abdul jabbar play? Center
What year was kareem abdul-jabbar drafted? Kareem was drafted with the first overall pick by the one-season-old Bucks franchise in the 1969 NBA draft
Top facts:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose birth name is Lew Alcindor, was born in New York City in 1947.
- He attended Power Memorial Academy in New York City, where he led the team to 71 consecutive wins and three straight New York City Catholic championships.
- He played college basketball at UCLA and led the Bruins to three NCAA championships (1967, 1968, 1969)
- He was the first player to win the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award three times.
- He was selected first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA draft.
- He won six NBA championships, five with the Los Angeles Lakers (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) and one with the Milwaukee Bucks (1971).
- He was a 19-time NBA All-Star and was named the league's Most Valuable Player six times.
- He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points.
- He retired from the NBA in 1989 and is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
- After his playing career, he has been an author and cultural commentator, as well as a coach. He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
- He has also been involved in various social and political causes, including support for racial equality and education reform.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Teams
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for two teams during his 20-year career in the NBA:
Milwaukee Bucks: He was selected first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA draft and played for the team from 1969 to 1975. He won his first and only NBA championship with the Bucks in 1971.
Los Angeles Lakers: He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975 and played for the team until 1989. He won five NBA championships with the Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. He is considered one of the greatest Lakers players of all time and his jersey number 33 was retired by the team.
Kareem abdul jabbar name change
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's birth name was Lew Alcindor. He changed his name in 1971 after converting to Islam. The name "Kareem" means "generous" or "noble" in Arabic, and "Abdul-Jabbar" means "servant of the powerful." He has said that he changed his name to reflect his newfound identity as a member of the Nation of Islam, and to distance himself from his slave name. He has also said that he changed his name to honor his mentor, the jazz musician and political activist Yusuf Lateef, who was known for his work with the Nation of Islam.
Kareem abdul jabbar net worth
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's net worth is estimated to be around $20 million dollars as of 2021. He earned a significant portion of his fortune through his successful career as a professional basketball player. He was one of the highest-paid players in the NBA during his playing days, with an estimated career salary of over $7 million dollars. He also made money from endorsement deals, including a contract with Pepsi, and has received royalties from his books, films and other ventures. He has also been involved in various business ventures and has invested in real estate. He also made money from his coaching career and as a commentator.
Kareem abdul jabbar books
He has written several books including "Black Profiles in Courage: A Legacy of African-American Achievement" and "Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court."
Kareem abdul jabbar stats
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his career statistics reflect that. Some of his notable stats include:
Career points: 38,387 (first all-time in NBA history)
Points per game: 24.6 (eighth all-time in NBA history)
Rebounds: 17,440 (eighth all-time in NBA history)
Assists: 5,660 (19th all-time in NBA history)
Blocks: 3,189 (second all-time in NBA history)
Minutes played: 57,446 (second all-time in NBA history)
Games played: 1,560 (second all-time in NBA history)
Field goal percentage: .559 (29th all-time in NBA history)
NBA championships: 6 (1971 with Milwaukee Bucks and 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988 with Los Angeles Lakers)
NBA MVP: 6 (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)
NBA All-Star: 19 (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989)
All-NBA First Team: 15 (1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989)
All-Defensive First Team: 2 (1983, 1985)
NBA scoring champion: 2 (1971, 1972)
These are just some of his notable career statistics, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has many records and accolades that he got during his time in the NBA.
Kareem abdul jabbar and the Lakers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1975 to 1989. He was traded to the Lakers from the Milwaukee Bucks in 1975, and during his 14-year tenure with the team, he established himself as one of the greatest players in Lakers history and one of the greatest centers of all time.
During his time with the Lakers, he won five NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988), was named NBA Finals MVP twice (1985, 1988), and was named to the All-Star team six times (1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984). He also holds several Lakers franchise records, including most points scored (24,176), most field goals made (9,935), and most rebounds (6,804).
In addition to his on-court accomplishments, Abdul-Jabbar was also known for his leadership and professionalism, and was respected by his teammates and coaches. His number 33 was retired by the Lakers in 1989, and he was inducted into the Lakers Hall of Fame in 1996.
It's important to mention that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a great impact in the Lakers franchise, his legacy with the team is still felt today and he remains one of the most iconic figures in the team's history.
Kareem abdul jabbar championships
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won a total of six NBA championships during his career. He won his first championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971 and won five more championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988.
In 1971, Abdul-Jabbar and the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA championship with a 4-0 sweep of the Baltimore Bullets. He was named the Finals MVP after leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists.
In 1980, Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers won the NBA championship with a 4-2 series victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He was instrumental in the Lakers' playoff run, averaging 22.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in the Finals.
In 1982, Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers won their second consecutive championship with a 4-2 series victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
In 1985, Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers won their third championship in five years with a 4-2 series victory over the Boston Celtics. He was named Finals MVP after averaging 14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in the Finals.
In 1987, Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers won their fourth championship in nine years with a 4-2 series victory over the Boston Celtics.
In 1988, Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers won their fifth championship in ten years with a 4-3 series victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Abdul-Jabbar's six NBA championships are tied for the most by a center in NBA history, and his five championships with the Lakers are the most by a player in franchise history.
Kareem abdul jabbar movies
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has made several appearances in movies throughout his career. Some of his notable appearances include:
"Game of Death" (1978): Abdul-Jabbar played the role of "Hakim" in this martial arts film starring Bruce Lee. The film was released posthumously, as Lee died before it was completed.
"Airplane!" (1980): Abdul-Jabbar appeared as a co-pilot in this parody film.
"Fletch" (1985): Abdul-Jabbar had a small role as "Karim" in this comedy film starring Chevy Chase.
"Troop Beverly Hills" (1989): Abdul-Jabbar played the role of "Harry" in this comedy film.
"Forget Paris" (1995): Abdul-Jabbar played the role of "Jamaal" in this romantic comedy film starring Billy Crystal and Debra Winger.
"Full Court Press" (2002): Abdul-Jabbar played the role of "Coach" in this made-for-TV movie.
"The Air Up There" (1994): Abdul-Jabbar played the role of "Saanvi" in this sports drama film.
"Mycroft Holmes" (2017): Abdul-Jabbar played the role of "Sherlock Holmes' Brother" in this short film.
Abdul-Jabbar also appeared in several documentaries and TV series, such as "Black History: Lost, Stolen, or Strayed", "The Black List: Volume One" and "Veronica Mars" among others.
Kareem abdul jabbar Skyhook
The skyhook is a basketball shot that was made famous by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during his playing career. It is a one-handed shot in which the player extends his arm and releases the ball with a high, sweeping motion. The shot is known for its high degree of difficulty and accuracy, as well as its ability to clear defenders and score over taller players.
Abdul-Jabbar developed the skyhook as a young player at Power Memorial Academy in New York City and refined it at UCLA under coach John Wooden. He used the shot throughout his college and professional career, and it became his go-to move on the court. He used it to score an NBA-record 38,387 points, the most by any player in history.
The skyhook was an important part of Abdul-Jabbar's game, it was a shot that he could make with both hands, and he could also execute it with great accuracy and efficiency. He used it to score over taller players and it was very difficult for defenders to block it. The skyhook is considered one of the most unstoppable shots in the history of basketball and its effectiveness was a major factor in Abdul-Jabbar's success as a player.
Kareem abdul jabbar and Bruce Lee
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bruce Lee had a friendship that spanned several years and was based on their shared interest in martial arts and physical fitness. Abdul-Jabbar was a fan of Lee's martial arts films and was impressed by his physical conditioning and discipline. The two men met in 1971, and Lee began training Abdul-Jabbar in martial arts, with a focus on the Chinese style of Wing Chun.
Abdul-Jabbar has said that training with Lee helped him develop better balance and footwork, which improved his basketball game. He also credited Lee with teaching him the importance of focus and discipline, which helped him become a better player and a more successful person. In return, Abdul-Jabbar helped Lee with his basketball skills and the two men often played one-on-one games of basketball.
The two men also appeared in a film together, the 1978 martial arts film "Game of Death," which was released posthumously as Lee died before it was completed. The film is considered a classic of the martial arts genre and also helped to increase Abdul-Jabbar's visibility and fame.
After Bruce Lee's death, Abdul-Jabbar has continued to express his admiration for him, in interviews and writings, and has even dedicated several chapters in his books to the friendship he had with him.
Kareem abdul jabbar and Lebron James
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James are both considered among the greatest basketball players of all time. They have several similarities in their careers, including their longevity and dominance in the league, as well as their off-court activism and philanthropy.
Kareem abdul jabbar and Wilt chamberlain
Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain were rivals during their playing days, they faced each other many times, and they were both considered among the best centers of their era. Both players have been inducted into the Hall of Fame and are considered two of the greatest players in the history of the NBA.
Kareem abdul jabbar Glasses
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is known for wearing glasses, specifically goggles, during his playing career. He started wearing goggles during his college days at UCLA, as he broke his right eye socket while playing in a game.
Why did kareem abdul jabbar wear goggles? He had to wear goggles to protect his eye and prevent further injury. The goggles became a part of his signature look, and he continued to wear them throughout his professional career.
Abdul-Jabbar has said that the goggles helped him see the court better, as they reduced glare and improved his peripheral vision. He also said that the goggles helped him with his balance and coordination, which improved his overall game. The goggles also became a part of his iconic image and helped to make him one of the most recognizable players of his era.
Abdul-Jabbar's goggles were also used in the movie "Airplane!" and made an appearance in the movie "Fletch" as well.
After his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar stopped wearing goggles, but the goggles have become an iconic part of his legacy and are remembered by fans as a symbol of his career.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Quotes
"I think that the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice."
"You can't win unless you learn how to lose." (Meaning)
"The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical."
"I've been blessed to play in an era where the league was marketed properly and the players were marketed properly."
"I'm not just trying to be a role model for the people who are like me, I'm trying to be a role model for everybody."
"I'm proud to be a role model, but I don't want to be a role model just for black kids, I want to be a role model for all kids."
"I'm not a one-dimensional person, and I don't want to be portrayed as a one-dimensional person."
"I'm not a politician. I'm just a basketball player."
* The editor of this short biography made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any quotes, facts, or key life events. If you're looking to expand your personal development, I recommend exploring other people's life stories and gaining inspiration from my collection of inspiring quotes. Exposing yourself to different perspectives can broaden your worldview and help you with your personal growth.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
