Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ’69

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Some call him a legend. Some say he’s a national hero. Some insist that records he has set will never be equaled, let alone broken. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, by anyone’s standards, is a phenomenon and, as Time magazine so simply put it, “History’s greatest basketball player.”

As any sports fan knows, Abdul-Jabbar began his awesome career at UCLA, leading the Bruin team to three national championships. At the time that freshmen were ineligible for varsity play, Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, and the other UCLA freshmen defeated the UCLA varsity in the opening exhibition. UCLA compiled a 12–0 tournament record during Abdul-Jabbar’s three years with the team. He was named college Player of the Year in 1967 and 1969, and he was a three-time All American. While at UCLA, Abdul-Jabbar formed a close bond of admiration with his coach, the legendary John Wooden. It was Wooden who gave Abdul-Jabbar that now famous advice: “Never get too high with the wins or too low with the losses.”

UCLA was just the first in a series of giant steps for Abdul-Jabbar. As a professional, he led his teams to a winning season each year he played and was a member of three National Basketball Association championship teams. He was the first player ever to score 37,000 points in a career and is the NBA’s all-time regular season scoring leader. He is also the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring leader. Adding to his exclusive list, Abdul-Jabbar is the only player in NBA history to have won the Most Valuable Player Award six times. He ranks among the all-time leaders in virtually every winning statistical category in basketball.

From the start, Abdul-Jabbar’s career was a skyrocket. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in history in 1969, Lew Alcindor, the college champ, quickly became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the premier center in pro basketball, lining up with the Milwaukee Bucks. He changed his name officially in 1971 after being named Rookie of the Year his first season.

After six years with the Bucks, Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for four Laker players. Abdul-Jabbar retired from the Lakers after the 1989 season, having remained in pro basketball into his forties, a tribute to his determination and lifestyle. In addition to his many claims to fame, Abdul-Jabbar has been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated 25 times and was named the magazine’s 1985 Sportsman of the Year.

Show business and philanthropy are other areas in which Abdul-Jabbar has made a mark. He served as co-executive producer of the highly rated, primetime special for NBC titled, “All-Star Tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.” Televised from the Century Plaza Hotel, the show included a star-studded banquet that raised nearly half-a-million dollars for Athletes and Entertainers for Kids. Abdul-Jabbar’s acting credits include roles in the comedy feature films “Fletch” with Chevy Chase and “Airplane” with Peter Graces. On television, he has appeared on several popular programs, including “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Bustin’ Loose,” “Mannix” and “Man from Atlantis.” Abdul-Jabbar has done his share for humanity through the devotion of many hours of service to a number of charities. He contributed to the UCLA Ralph Bunche Memorial Scholarship Fund by playing in three benefit basketball games. Abdul-Jabbar is also a writer. His autobiography, Giant Steps, was a best seller in 1983–1984, and his second book, Kareem, has recently been released.

Perhaps most importantly of all, Abdul-Jabbar has set a fine example. He is active in a program called “Kareem’s Kids,” which is designed to motivate teenagers to stay in school. He is also the National Representative for the UCLA Literacy Campaign. His stellar success combined with his high personal standards and activities on behalf of youth make Abdul-Jabbar a shining role model for all who see him as the hero that he truly is.