Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Personal information
Abdul-Jabbar in 2014
Born	(1947-04-16) April 16, 1947 (age 78) New York City, New York, U.S.
Listed height	7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
Listed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school	Power Memorial (New York City, New York)
College	UCLA (1966–1969)
NBA draft	1969: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Drafted by	Milwaukee Bucks
Playing career	1969–1989
Position	Center
Number	33
Coaching career	1998–2011
Career history
As a player:
1969–1975	Milwaukee Bucks
1975–1989	Los Angeles Lakers
As a coach:
1998–1999	Alchesay HS (assistant)
2000	Los Angeles Clippers (assistant)
2002	Oklahoma Storm
2005–2011	Los Angeles Lakers (assistant)

Career highlights
6× NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) 2× NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985) 6× NBA Most Valuable Player (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980) 19× NBA All-Star (1970–1977, 1979–1989) 10× All-NBA First Team (1971–1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986) 5× All-NBA Second Team (1970, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1985) 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1974, 1975, 1979–1981) 6× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1970, 1971, 1976–1978, 1984) NBA Rookie of the Year (1970) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1970) 2× NBA scoring champion (1971, 1972) NBA rebounding leader (1976) 4× NBA blocks leader (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980) NBA anniversary teams (35th, 50th, 75th) No. 33 retired by Milwaukee Bucks No. 33 retired by Los Angeles Lakers 3× NCAA champion (1967–1969) 3× NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1967–1969) 3× National college player of the year (1967–1969) 3× Consensus first-team All-American (1967–1969) No. 33 retired by UCLA Bruins 2× Mr. Basketball USA (1964, 1965) 3× First-team Parade All-American (1963–1965) Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016) As head coach: USBL champion (2002) As assistant coach: 2× NBA champion (2009, 2010)

Career NBA statistics
Points	38,387 (24.6 ppg)
Rebounds	17,440 (11.2 rpg)
Assists	5,660 (3.6 apg)

Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Basketball Hall of Fame
Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (/kəˈriːm æbˈduːl dʒəˈbɑːr/ kə-REEM ab-DOOL jə-BAR; born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. /ælˈsɪndər/ al-SIN-dər, April 16, 1947) is an American former basketball player. He played professionally for 20 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins as a center. A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Abdul-Jabbar won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. He was a 19-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA Team member, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He was a member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two more as an assistant coach, and was twice voted the NBA Finals MVP. He was named to three NBA anniversary teams (35th, 50th, and 75th).^[1] Widely regarded as one of the greatest^{[under discussion]} players of all time,^[2] he has been called the greatest^{[under discussion]} basketball player of all time by many of his contemporaries such as Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas, and Julius Erving.^[3]^[4]^[5] Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record in 1984, and held it until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.

Abdul-Jabbar was known as Lew Alcindor when he played at Power Memorial, a private Catholic high school in New York City, where he led their team to 71 consecutive wins. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, winning three consecutive national championships under head coach John Wooden. Alcindor was a record three-time most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament. Drafted with the first overall pick by the one-season-old Milwaukee Bucks franchise in the 1969 NBA draft, he spent six seasons with the team. After leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship at age 24 in 1971, he took the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Using his trademark skyhook shot, he established himself as one of the league's top scorers. In 1975, he was traded to the Lakers, with whom he played the final 14 seasons of his career, during which time the team won five NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar's contributions were a key component in the Showtime era of Lakers basketball. Over his 20-year NBA career, his teams reached the playoffs 18 times and got past the first round 14 times; his teams reached the NBA Finals ten times.^[1]^[6]

At the time of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's regular season career leader in points (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field goal attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), defensive rebounds (9,394), and personal fouls (4,657). He remains the all-time leader in minutes played and field goals made. He ranks second in career points and field goal attempts, and is third all-time in both total rebounds (17,440) and blocked shots.^[7] ESPN named him the greatest center of all time in 2007,^[8] the greatest player in college basketball history in 2008,^[9] and the second best player in NBA history (behind Michael Jordan) in 2016.^[10] Abdul-Jabbar has also been an actor, a basketball coach, a best-selling author, and a martial artist, having trained in Jeet Kune Do under Bruce Lee and appeared in his film Game of Death (1972).^[11] In 2012, Abdul-Jabbar was selected by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to be a U.S. global cultural ambassador.^[12] In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.^[13]

Early life

[edit]

Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. was born in Harlem, New York City,^[14] the only child of Cora Lillian, a department store price checker, and Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., a transit police officer and jazz musician.^[15] Cora was born in North Carolina but came to Harlem as part of the Great Migration. Ferdinand Sr. was the child of immigrants from Trinidad; his uncle was the Black activist and medical pioneer Dr. John Alcindor.^[16]^[17]^[18] Alcindor grew up in the Dyckman Street projects in the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, which he moved to at the age of 3 in 1950.^[19] At birth, Alcindor weighed 12 lb 11 oz (5.75 kg) and was 22+1⁄2 inches (57 cm) long.^[20]^[21] Always very tall for his age,^[20] he was already 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) by the age of nine.^[22] Alcindor was often depressed as a teenager because of the stares and comments about his height.^[20] By the eighth grade (age 13–14), he had grown to 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and could already dunk a basketball.^[22]^[23]

Alcindor attended Power Memorial Academy, a private all-boys Catholic high school, where he was one of the few Blacks.^[24] He led coach Jack Donohue's teams to three straight New York City Catholic championships, a 71–game winning streak, and a 79–2 overall record.^[25] This earned him "The Tower from Power" nickname.^[24] His 2,067 total points were a New York City high school record.^[26] The team won the national high school boys basketball championship when Alcindor was in 10th and 11th grade and was runner-up his senior year.^[24] He had a strained relationship in his final year with Donohue after the coach called him a nigger.^[27]

Alcindor wrote for the Harlem Youth Action Project newspaper. The Harlem riot of 1964, which was prompted by the fatal shooting of 15-year old black boy James Powell by a New York police officer, triggered Alcindor's interest in racial politics. "Right then and there, I knew who I was, who I had to be. I was going to be black rage personified, Black Power in the flesh", he said.^[28]^[29]

College career

[edit]

Alcindor was not able to play professionally in the NBA out of high school. At the time, the league only accepted players beginning with the year that they could have hypothetically graduated from college.^[30]^[31] His other options to play basketball professionally would have been to join the Harlem Globetrotters or play overseas. However, Alcindor's goal was to attend college.^[31] Recruited by hundreds of schools, he was the most sought-after prospect since Wilt Chamberlain. Southern teams that were segregated were willing to break the color line to acquire Alcindor.^[29] He chose to attend the University of California, Los Angeles,^[31] after being recruited by Bruins assistant coach Jerry Norman.^[32]

By now 7-foot-1-inch (2.16 m) tall, Alcindor was relegated to the freshman team in his first year with the Bruins,^[33]^[34] as freshman were ineligible to play varsity until 1972.^[35] The freshman squad included Lucius Allen, Kenny Heitz, and Lynn Shackelford, who were fellow high-school All-Americans.^[36] On November 27, 1965, Alcindor made his first public performance in UCLA's annual varsity–freshman exhibition game, attended by 12,051 fans in the inaugural game at the Bruins' new Pauley Pavilion.^[34]^[37]^[38] The 1965–66 varsity team was the two-time defending national champions and the top-ranked team in preseason polls.^[34]^[39] The freshman team won 75–60 behind Alcindor's 31 points and 21 rebounds.^[37]^[20] It was the first time a freshman team had beaten the UCLA varsity squad.^[20] The varsity had lost Gail Goodrich and Keith Erickson from the championship squad to graduation, and starting guard Freddie Goss was out sick.^[37]^[40] After the game, UPI wrote: "UCLA's Bruins open defense of their national basketball title this week, but right now they're only the second best team on campus."^[40]^[41] The freshman team was 21–0 that year, dominating against junior college and other freshman teams,^[39] as Alcindor averaged 33 points and 21 rebounds per game.^[42]

Alcindor made his varsity debut as a sophomore in 1966 and received national coverage. Sports Illustrated described him as "The New Superstar" after he scored 56 points in his first game, which is still an NCAA record for a player in their debut.^[43]^[20]^[26] He scored 61 later in the season.^[42] Averaging 29 points and 15.5 rebounds per game, he led UCLA to an undefeated 30–0 record and a national championship,^[42]^[44] their third title in four years and first of seven consecutive.^[29]^[42] After the season, the dunk was banned in college basketball in an attempt to curtail his dominance;^[25]^[44] critics dubbed it the "Alcindor Rule".^[25]^[29] It was not rescinded until the 1976–77 season.^[45] Alcindor was the main contributor to the team's three-year record of 88 wins and only two losses: one to the University of Houston in which Alcindor had an eye injury, and the other to crosstown rival USC who played a "stall game";^[34]^[46] there was no shot clock in that era, allowing the Trojans to hold the ball as long as it wanted before attempting to score. They limited Alcindor to only four shots and 10 points.^[47]

During his college career, Alcindor was a three-time national player of the year (1967–1969), a three-time unanimous first-team All-American (1967–1969), played on three NCAA basketball champion teams (1967, 1968, and 1969), was honored as the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament three times, and became the first-ever Naismith College Player of the Year in 1969.^[48]^[49] He was the only player to win the Helms Foundation Player of the Year award three times.^[50] He had considered transferring to Michigan because of unfulfilled recruiting promises. UCLA player Willie Naulls introduced Alcindor and teammate Lucius Allen to athletic booster Sam Gilbert, who convinced the pair to remain at UCLA.^[51]

During his junior year, Alcindor suffered a scratched left cornea on January 12, 1968, in a game against California (UC Berkeley) when he was struck by Tom Henderson in a rebound battle.^[52] He missed the next two games against Stanford and Portland.^[25] His cornea would again be scratched during his pro career, which subsequently caused him to wear goggles for eye protection.^[53] On January 20, the Bruins faced coach Guy Lewis's Houston Cougars in the first-ever nationally televised regular-season college basketball game, with 52,693 in attendance at the Astrodome. In a contest billed as the "Game of the Century", Cougar forward Elvin Hayes scored 39 points and had 15 rebounds, while Alcindor, suffering from his eye injury, was held to just 15 points as Houston won 71–69, ending UCLA's 47-game winning streak.^[54]^[55] Hayes and Alcindor had a rematch in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament, where UCLA, with a healthy Alcindor, defeated Houston 101–69 en route to the national championship. UCLA limited Hayes, who was averaging 37.7 points per game, to only ten points. Wooden credited his assistant Norman for devising the diamond-and-one defense that contained Hayes.^[56]^[57] Sports Illustrated ran a cover story on the game and used the headline: "Lew's Revenge: The Rout of Houston."^[58] As a senior in 1968–69, Alcindor led the Bruins to their third consecutive national title.^[29]

During the summer of 1968, Alcindor took the shahada twice and converted to Sunni Islam from Catholicism. He adopted the Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, though he did not begin using it publicly until 1971.^[59] He boycotted the 1968 Summer Olympics, deciding not to try out for the U.S. Olympic basketball team, who went on to win the gold medal.^[60] Alcindor was protesting the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States,^[27]^[29] stating that he was "trying to point out to the world the futility of winning the gold medal for this country and then coming back to live under oppression".^[61]

As the NBA did not allow college underclassmen to make an early NBA draft declaration, Alcindor completed his studies and earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in history in 1969. In his free time, he practiced martial arts. He studied aikido in New York between his sophomore and junior year before learning Jeet Kune Do under Bruce Lee in Los Angeles.^[62]^[63]

School records

[edit]

As of the 2019–20 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team season,^[64] he still holds or shares a number of individual records at UCLA:^[65]

Highest career scoring average: 26.4
Most career field goals: 943 — tied with Don MacLean
Most points in a season: 870 (1967)
Highest season scoring average: 29.0 (1967)
Most field goals in a season: 346 (1967) — also the second most at 303 (1969) and the third most at 294 (1968)
Most free throw attempts in a season: 274 (1967)
Most points in a single game: 61
Most points in a college debut game: 56^[43]
Most field goals in a single game: 26 (vs. Washington State, February 25, 1967)

He is represented in the top ten in a number of other school records, including season and career rebounds, second only to Bill Walton.^[65]

Professional career

[edit]

Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975)

[edit]

Rookie of the Year (1969–1970)

[edit]

The Globetrotters offered Alcindor $1 million to play for them, but he declined and was picked first overall in the 1969 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, who were in only their second season of existence. The Bucks had won a coin toss with the Phoenix Suns for the first pick. He was also chosen first overall in the 1969 American Basketball Association draft by the New York Nets.^[66] The Nets believed that they had the upper hand in securing Alcindor's services because he was from New York; however, when Alcindor told both the Bucks and the Nets that he would accept only one offer from each team, he rejected the Nets' bid as too low. Sam Gilbert negotiated the contract along with Los Angeles businessman Ralph Shapiro at no charge.^[51]^[67] After Alcindor chose the Milwaukee Bucks' offer of $1.4 million, the Nets offered a guaranteed $3.25 million. Alcindor declined the offer, saying: "A bidding war degrades the people involved. It would make me feel like a flesh peddler, and I don't want to think like that."^[68]

Alcindor's presence enabled the Bucks to claim second place in the NBA's Eastern Division with a 56–26 record (improved from 27–55 the previous year). On February 21, 1970, he scored 51 points in a 140–127 win over the SuperSonics.^[69] Alcindor was an instant star, ranking second in the league in scoring (28.8 ppg) and third in rebounding (14.5 rpg), for which he was awarded the title of NBA Rookie of the Year.^[25] In the series-clinching game against the Philadelphia 76ers, he recorded 46 points and 25 rebounds.^[70] He was the second rookie to score at least 40 points and 25 rebounds in a playoff game, the first being Wilt Chamberlain.^[71] He also set an NBA rookie record with 10 or more games of 20+ points scored during the playoffs, tied by Jayson Tatum in 2018.^[72]

First championship, MVP, and Finals MVP (1970–1971)

[edit]

The next season, the Bucks acquired All-Star guard Oscar Robertson. Milwaukee went on to record the best record in the league with 66 victories in the 1970–71 season,^[25] including a then-record 20 straight wins.^[73] Alcindor was awarded his first of six NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, along with his first scoring title (31.7 ppg).^[25] He also led the league in total points, with 2,596.^[26] The Bucks won the NBA title, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets 4–0 in the 1971 NBA Finals. Alcindor posted 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in Game 4,^[74] and he was named the Finals MVP after averaging 27 points per game on 60.5% shooting in the series.^[75]

MVP recognition and trade request (1971–1975)

[edit]

During the offseason, Alcindor and Robertson joined Bucks head coach Larry Costello on a three-week basketball tour of Africa on behalf of the State Department. In a press conference at the State Department on June 3, 1971, he stated that going forward he wanted to be called by his Muslim name, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, its translation roughly "noble one, servant of the Almighty [i.e., servant of God]".^[76]^[77]

Abdul-Jabbar remained a dominant force for the Bucks. The following year, he repeated as scoring champion (34.8 ppg and 2,822 total points)^[26] and became the first player to be named the NBA Most Valuable Player twice in his first three years.^[78] In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar led the Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title,^[79] and he won his third MVP Award in four years.^[80] He was among the top five NBA players in scoring (27.0 ppg, third), rebounding (14.5 rpg, fourth), blocked shots (283, second), and field goal percentage (.539, second).^[79] Milwaukee advanced to the 1974 finals, losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games.^[81]

Robertson, who became a free agent in the offseason, retired in September 1974 after he was unable to agree on a contract with the Bucks.^[82]^[83] On October 3, Abdul-Jabbar privately requested a trade to the New York Knicks, with his second choice being the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) and his third, the Los Angeles Lakers.^[84] He had never spoken negatively of the city of Milwaukee or its fans, but he said that being in the Midwest did not fit his cultural needs.^[84]^[85]^[86] Two days later in a pre-season game before the 1974–75 season against the Celtics in Buffalo, New York, Abdul-Jabbar caught a fingernail in his left eye from Don Nelson and suffered a corneal abrasion; this angered him enough to punch the backboard stanchion, breaking two bones in his right hand.^[84]^[87]^[88] He missed the first 16 games of the season, during which the Bucks were 3–13, and returned in late November wearing protective goggles.^[88] On March 13, 1975, sportscaster Marv Albert reported that Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade to either New York or Los Angeles, preferably to the Knicks.^[84]^[89] The following day after a loss in Milwaukee to the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar confirmed to reporters his desire to play in another city.^[90] He averaged 30.0 points during the season, but Milwaukee finished in last place in the division at 38–44.^[91]

Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)

[edit]

Fourth and fifth MVP awards (1975–1977)

[edit]

In 1975, the Lakers acquired Abdul-Jabbar and reserve center Walt Wesley from the Bucks for center Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters, blue-chip rookies Dave Meyers and Junior Bridgeman, and cash.^[84]^[91] In the 1975–76 season, his first with the Lakers, he had a dominating season, averaging 27.7 points per game and leading the league in rebounding (16.9), blocked shots (4.12), and total minutes played (3,379).^[92]^[93] His 1,111 defensive rebounds remains the NBA single-season record (defensive rebounds were not recorded prior to the 1973–74 season).^[94] He earned his fourth MVP award, becoming the first winner in Lakers' franchise history,^[95] but missed the post-season for the second straight year as the Lakers finished 40–42.^[96]

After acquiring a cast of no-name free agents, the Lakers were projected to finished near the bottom of the Pacific Division in 1976–77. Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the team to the best record (53–29) in the NBA, and he won his fifth MVP award, tying Bill Russell's record. Abdul-Jabbar led the league in field goal percentage (.579), was third in scoring (26.2), and was second in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (3.18).^[97] In the playoffs, the Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals, setting up a confrontation with the Portland Trail Blazers. The result was a memorable matchup, pitting Abdul-Jabbar against a young, injury-free Bill Walton. Although Abdul-Jabbar dominated the series statistically, Walton and the Trail Blazers (who were experiencing their first-ever run in the playoffs) swept the Lakers, behind Walton's skillful passing and timely plays.^[98]^[99]

Playoff disappointments (1977–1979)

[edit]

Two minutes into the opening game of the 1977–78 season, Abdul-Jabbar broke his right hand punching Milwaukee's Kent Benson in retaliation to the rookie's elbow to his stomach. Benson suffered a black right eye and required two stitches.^[100]^[101]^[102] According to Benson, Abdul-Jabbar initiated the elbowing, but there were no witnesses and it was not captured on replays.^[100]^[102] Abdul-Jabbar, who broke the same bone in 1975 after he punched the backboard support,^[101] was out for almost two months and missed 20 games.^[102]^[103] He was fined a then-league record $5,000 but was not suspended.^[101]^[103] Benson missed one game but was not punished by the league.^[102]^[104] The Lakers were 8–13 when Abdul-Jabbar returned.^[105] He was not named to the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, the only time in his 20-year career he was not selected to an All-Star Game.^[106] Chicago's Artis Gilmore and Detroit's Bob Lanier were chosen as reserves for the West, with Walton starting at center.^[107] Amid criticism from the media over his performance, Abdul-Jabbar had 39 points, 20 rebounds, six assists and four blocks in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers the day the All-Star rosters were announced.^[108] He added 37 points and 30 rebounds in a victory over the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn) in the final game before the All-Star break.^[109]

Abdul-Jabbar's play remained strong during the next two seasons, being named to the All-NBA Second Team twice, the All-Defense First Team once, and the All-Defense Second Team once.^[7] The Lakers, however, continued to be stymied in the playoffs, being eliminated by the Seattle SuperSonics in both 1978 (first round) and 1979 (semifinals).^[110]

Last MVP award and championship success (1979–1985)

[edit]

The Lakers selected Magic Johnson with the first overall pick of 1979 NBA draft. They had acquired the pick from the New Orleans Jazz (later Utah) in 1976, when league rules required that they compensate Los Angeles for their signing of free agent Gail Goodrich.^[111] The addition of Johnson paved the way for the Lakers' Showtime dynasty of the 1980s, appearing in the finals eight times and winning five NBA championships.^[112] While less dominant than in his younger years, Abdul-Jabbar reinforced his status as one of the greatest basketball players ever,^[112] adding an additional four All-NBA First Team selections and two All-Defense First Team honors.^[7] He won his record sixth MVP award in his first season with Johnson in 1979–80.^[112]^[113] In the 1980 finals, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 33.4 points in five games, spraining his ankle in Game 5, but returning to finish the contest with 40 points and leading the team to a win. He missed Game 6, when the Lakers clinched the title, and Johnson was named the Finals MVP after recording 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in the finale.^[114]^[115]^[116]

Abdul-Jabbar continued to average 20 or more points per game in the following six seasons.^[112] The Lakers won another championship in 1981–82, but he suffered migraines in the finals, averaging just 18 points per game against Philadelphia.^[116]^[117] In 14 playoff games, he finished with a 20.4 point average, the lowest of his career at the time.^[116] The Lakers advanced to the 1983 NBA Finals in a rematch against the 76ers, who had acquired Moses Malone to shore up their center position after Abdul-Jabbar had outplayed their big-man duo of Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Jones in the previous finals.^[117] The 76ers swept the Lakers 4–0, and Malone was named the Finals MVP after outrebounding Abdul-Jabbar 72–30 in the series.^[118] Malone had 27 offensive rebounds, which nearly equaled Abdul-Jabbar's total rebounds (30).^[119]

Before the 1983–84 season, Abdul-Jabbar signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Lakers, with none of the amount deferred.^[120] He fell ill with viral hepatitis during training camp, which rendered him weak for a month after returning. He scored 10 points at Golden State on December 22, 1983, dropping his season average to 17.7, almost 10 points below his career average. His scoring picked up after Christmas.^[121] On the road against Utah on April 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar broke Chamberlain's record for most career points in the NBA. He received a pass from Johnson and scored from 15 feet (4.6 m) on his patent skyhook over the 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) shot-blocking specialist Mark Eaton.^[42]^[122]^[123] The game was played at the Thomas & Mack Center, one of 11 home games for the Jazz in the Las Vegas Valley that season. The contest drew 18,389 fans, the Jazz's largest home crowd since moving from New Orleans before the 1979–80 season.^[123] For the first time since the 1980–81 season,^[124] Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers in both scoring (21.5) and rebounding (7.3) during the season.^[125] Playing consistently better than he had over the past few years,^[126] he was named to the All-NBA First Team for the ninth time in his career, and he was voted to the All-NBA Defensive Second Team, the final all-defensive selection of his career.^[7]^[126] The team advanced to the 1984 NBA Finals but lost to Boston.^[126]

The 1984–85 season was expected to be Abdul-Jabbar's final season, as he had maintained since breaking Chamberlain's record that he would be retiring.^[126]^[127] Teams began honoring him in his final appearance in their home arena,^[127]^[128] but the Lakers instructed them not to use the word retirement in their ceremony.^[126]^[127] He had left open the possibility of changing his mind, but did not want to accept retirement gifts and play again, as Dave Cowens had done.^[127]^[129] On December 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract extension with the Lakers, with none of the money deferred.^[130] He won his second Finals MVP in 1985,^[112] when he became the oldest to win the award at 38 years and 54 days old.^[131] He averaged 25.7 points, 9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in the series against the Celtics.^[132] He was initially outplayed in Game 1, scoring 12 points with three rebounds against 30-year-old Boston center Robert Parish, who had 18 points and eight rebounds in a 148–114 win over the Lakers, dubbed the "Memorial Day Massacre".^[131] At the team's film session the following day, Abdul-Jabbar—who normally sat near the back—was seated in the front row, and accepted all of head coach Pat Riley's criticism. Before Game 2, Abdul-Jabbar asked if his father could ride on the team bus to the game. Typically a hard-liner on rules, Riley agreed to make an exception. Abdul-Jabbar bounced back with 30 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks in a 109–102 victory. In the Lakers’ four wins, he averaged 30.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks.^[133] The title ended the Celtics' streak of eight consecutive championships against the Lakers.^[112]

Final playing years and sixth ring (1985–1989)

[edit]

Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season in 1985–86, breaking the previous NBA record for seasons played of 16, held by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Paul Silas, and Elvin Hayes.^[134]^[135]^[136] On November 12, 1985, he signed to a one-year extension of his contract at the same $2 million salary, while maintaining the option to retire after the 1985–86 season.^[137] Prior to the 1986–87 season, he gained 13 pounds (5.9 kg), reaching close to 270 pounds (120 kg), to compete against the growing number of 7-footers (2.1 m) in the league.^[138] The Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals in each of his final three seasons, starting with a championship over Boston in 1987.^[1] Afterwards, he signed a two-year contract with the Lakers.^[139]

Riley guaranteed that the Lakers would be the first NBA team to win consecutive titles since the 1968–69 Celtics, and they defeated the Detroit Pistons for the championship in 1988.^[1]^[140] Abdul-Jabbar made only 3 of 14 shots in Game 6 of the finals, but he converted two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to extend the series to seven games.^[141] After winning the season finale, in which he had only four points and three rebounds, the 41-year-old center announced in the locker room that he would return for one more season before retiring.^[141]^[142] His points, rebounds, and minutes had dropped in his 19th season,^[142]^[143]^[144] and there were reports prior to the game that he was retiring after the contest.^[141]^[145] On his "retirement tour" he received standing ovations at games, both home and away, and gifts ranging from a yacht that said "Captain Skyhook" to framed jerseys from his career to a Persian rug.^[146] At the Forum against Seattle in his final regular season game,^[146] every Laker came onto the court wearing Abdul-Jabbar's trademark goggles.^[147] The Lakers lost to the Pistons in a four-game sweep in the 1989 finals.^[148]

At the time of his retirement, Abdul-Jabbar held the record for most career games played in the NBA.^[149] He was also the all-time record holder for most minutes played (57,446), most field goals made (15,837), most points (38,387), and most 1,000-point seasons (19).^[42]

Coaching career

[edit]

In 1995, Abdul-Jabbar began expressing an interest in coaching and imparting knowledge from his playing days.^[150]^[151] His opportunities were limited despite the success he enjoyed during his playing days. During his playing years, Abdul-Jabbar had developed a reputation for being introverted and sullen. He was often unfriendly with the media.^[150]^[151]^[152] His sensitivity and shyness created a perception of him being aloof and surly.^[150]^[153] At the time, his mentality was that he either did not have the time or did not owe anything to anyone.^[154] Magic Johnson recalled as a kid being brushed off after asking him for an autograph. Abdul-Jabbar might freeze out a reporter if they touched him, and he once refused to stop reading the newspaper while giving an interview.^[152]

Abdul-Jabbar had spent most of his career with a reserved attitude towards media attention (since he did not have to deal with it as a star at UCLA) before he softened up near the end of his career. Abdul-Jabbar said: "I didn't understand that I also had affected people that way and that's what it was all about. I always saw it like they were trying to pry. I was way too suspicious and I paid a price for it."^[155] However, he believes it was his reputation as a "difficult person", alongside his attempts at trying to break into coaching while nearing the age of fifty, that affected his chances of becoming a head coach within the NBA or NCAA.^[156]

Abdul-Jabbar worked as an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Seattle SuperSonics, helping mentor, among others, their young centers, Michael Olowokandi and Jerome James.^[157] Abdul-Jabbar was the head coach of the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League in 2002, leading the team to the league's championship that season, but he failed to land the head coaching position at Columbia University a year later.^[158] He then worked as a scout for the New York Knicks.^[159] He returned to the Lakers as a special assistant coach to Phil Jackson for six seasons (2005–2011). Early on, he mentored their young center, Andrew Bynum.^[160]^[161] Abdul-Jabbar also served as a volunteer coach at Alchesay High School on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona, in 1998.^[162] He moved on from coaching in 2013 after unsuccessfully lobbying for open head coach positions with UCLA and the Milwaukee Bucks.^[163]

Player profile

[edit]

On offense, Abdul-Jabbar was a dominant low-post threat. In contrast to other low-post specialists like Wilt Chamberlain or Shaquille O'Neal, he was a slender giant, standing 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) tall while weighing around 240 to 250 lb (110 to 115 kg), although he bulked to 270 lb (120 kg) in 1986;^[138]^[164] in his early years, he used that frame for agility and speed while in later years he utilized a bigger frame for trying to guard under the basket.^[138] Abdul-Jabbar was famous for his ambidextrous skyhook shot. It contributed to his .559 career field goal percentage, which ranked eighth in NBA history at the time of his retirement,^[a] and reputation as a feared clutch shooter.^[167] He shot above 50% in every season but his last.^[168]

Abdul-Jabbar maintained a dominant presence on defense. He was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team eleven times.^[1] He frustrated opponents with his superior shot-blocking ability and denied an average of 2.6 shots a game. He was not an aggressive rebounder, relying more on his size as a 7-footer instead of positioning.^[169]^[170] After the pounding he endured early in his career, his rebounding average fell to between six or eight a game in his latter years.^[1] As a teammate, Abdul-Jabbar exuded natural leadership and was affectionately called "Cap",^[7] or "Captain", by his colleagues.^[171] He had an even temperament, which Riley said made him coachable.^[172]

A strict fitness regime made Abdul-Jabbar one of the most durable players of all time.^[173] He began a year-around conditioning program at age 26.^[174] While in Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar started doing yoga in 1976 to improve his flexibility, and was notable for his physical fitness regimen.^[175] He said: "There is no way I could have played as long as I did without yoga."^[176] Because of his metabolism, he had difficulty putting on weight. Prior to the 1979–80 season, he gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) from 240 to 250 pounds (110 kg) after switching from free weights to Nautilus equipment. He also switched that offseason from tai chi to yoga.^[177] To reduce wear during his later years, Riley did not have him inbound the ball on made baskets, and had him wait at the opposite end of the court on free throws.^[178] In what he described as playing a "smarter game" to conserve energy, Abdul-Jabbar sometimes would be the last player to set up on offense by several seconds after staying behind on defense to see if the Lakers scored on a fast break.^[174]^[179] In 1981, he responded to criticism that he did not hustle: "You have to understand I have to play 42 to 45 minutes a night, and it's like mowing a huge estate lawn. If you rush out and run around furiously, it's self-defeating. You'll be worn out just at the point when you're most needed."^[180] Abdul-Jabbar finished his career with then-NBA records of 20 seasons and 1,560 games played,^[181] later broken by former Celtics center Robert Parish.^[182]

Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles after getting poked in the eye during preseason in 1974. He continued wearing them for years until abandoning them in the 1979 playoffs. He resumed wearing goggles in October 1980 after being accidentally poked in the right eye by Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich.^[183] After years of being jabbed in the eyes, Abdul-Jabbar developed corneal erosion syndrome, occasionally experiencing pain when his eyes dry up. He missed three games in December 1986 due to the condition.^[184]

Skyhook

[edit]

Abdul-Jabbar was well known for his trademark skyhook, a hook shot in which he raised the ball and released it at the highest point of his arm's arching motion. He could shoot the skyhook from up to 16 feet (4.9 m). With his long arms and great height, he released the ball so high that it was difficult for a defender to block without committing a goaltending violation.^[185]^[186] His body being between the defender and the ball made it further difficult to block,^[185] as did extending his non-shooting arm to fend off opponents.^[168] He was stronger shooting the skyhook with his right hand than he was with his left, which he developed in his later years.^[168]

According to Abdul-Jabbar, he learned the move in fifth grade after practicing with the ambidextrious Mikan Drill and soon learned to value it, as it was "the only shot I could use that didn't get smashed back in my face".^[154] He also watched Cliff Hagan shoot the hook with the St. Louis Hawks.^[168] To prevent his hook from being blocked from behind, he was advised by Wooden to do away with the typical sweeping motion of a hook shot, instead keeping the ball close to his body and shooting with a straighter motion. Abdul-Jabbar's hook shot improved in his junior year at UCLA, after the dunk was banned. In his final college years, he often released the ball several feet above the rim.^[187]

Legacy

[edit]

Abdul-Jabbar won a record six MVP awards.^[1]^[10] His 38,387 career points remained the NBA's career scoring record until February 7, 2023, when he was surpassed by LeBron James of the Lakers in Los Angeles.^[188] Abdul-Jabbar attended the game, and passed the game ball to James during the in-game ceremony after the record was broken.^[189] Abdul-Jabbar held the scoring mark for nearly 39 years, the longest span in league history.^[190] His skyhook is considered one of the most unstoppable shots ever.^[164] He won six NBA championships and two Finals MVP awards, was voted to 15 All-NBA and 11 All-Defensive Teams, and was selected to 19 All-Star teams,^[191] a record which stood until it was surpassed by James in 2024.^[192] Abdul-Jabbar was named to the NBA's 35th, 50th, and 75th anniversary teams.^[193] He averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game in his career,^[191] including three straight seasons where he averaged at least 30 points and 16 rebounds, and six times he averaged at least 27 points and 14.5 rebounds in the same season.^[194] He is ranked as the NBA's third leading all-time rebounder (17,440).^[195] He is the third all-time in registered blocks (3,189),^[196] which is impressive because this basketball statistic was not recorded until the fourth year of his career (1974).^[197] He is one of five players who have led the NBA in rebounding and blocks in the same season.^[b]

Abdul-Jabbar combined dominance during his career peak with the longevity and sustained excellence of his later years.^[10] A pioneer in using yoga in the NBA,^[164] he also credited Bruce Lee with teaching him "the discipline and spirituality of martial arts, which was greatly responsible for me being able to play competitively in the NBA for 20 years with very few injuries".^[200] Abdul-Jabbar played in 95 percent of his team's regular-season games during his career,^[113] including 80 or more games in 11 of his 20 seasons. Five times he played in all 82 games.^[164] After claiming his sixth and final MVP in 1980, he continued to average above 20 points in the following six seasons,^[1] including 23 points per game in his 17th season at age 38.^[201] He earned first-team All-NBA selections that were 15 years apart and Finals MVPs 14 seasons from each other.^[202]

Among the most graceful basketball players ever,^[113] Abdul-Jabbar is regarded as one of the best centers ever and one of the greatest players in NBA history;^[8] he was voted the best center of all time by ESPN ahead of Wilt Chamberlain in 2007,^[203] and ranked No. 4 in Slam's "Top 100 Players Of All-Time" in 2018,^[204] and No. 3 in ESPN's list of the top 74 NBA players of all time in 2020, the best center ever ahead of Bill Russell and Chamberlain.^[205] League experts and basketball legends frequently mentioned him when considering the greatest player of all time.^[201]^[206] Riley said in 1985: "Why judge anymore? When a man has broken records, won championships, endured tremendous criticism and responsibility, why judge? Let's toast him as the greatest player ever."^[1]^[178] In 2023, as James was on the verge of breaking the NBA career scoring record, Abdul-Jabbar remained as Riley's choice as the greatest: "We don't win championships without the greatest player in the history of the game, who had the greatest weapon in the history of the game. The skyhook was unstoppable. Last minute of the game, it's going to one guy". As president of the Miami Heat, Riley had won two NBA titles with James on their roster.^[207] Isiah Thomas remarked: "If they say the numbers don't lie, then Kareem is the greatest ever to play the game."^[3] In 2013, Julius Erving said: "In terms of players all-time, Kareem is still the number one guy. He's the guy you gotta start your franchise with."^[5] In 2015, ESPN named Abdul-Jabbar the best center in NBA history,^[201] and ranked him No. 2 behind Michael Jordan among the greatest NBA players ever.^[10] While Jordan's shots were enthralling and considered unfathomable, Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook appeared automatic, and he himself called the shot "unsexy".^[1]^[10] In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar's only recognized rookie card became the most expensive basketball card ever sold (the record has since been surpassed) when it went for $501,900 at auction.^[208] In 2022, he was ranked No. 3 (first in his position) in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list,^[209] and No. 3 (behind Jordan and James) in a similar list by The Athletic.^[210]

Abdul-Jabbar was also the first ever NBA player to sign a sneaker endorsement deal with Adidas in 1978. He went on to become the first ever player overall with a signature shoe shortly after.^[211]^[212] In 2014, the UCLA Bruins wore "The Blueprint" Crazy 8 against Colorado on Feb. 13, and the shoes were sold online and at an Adidas store in New Orleans—during NBA All-Star weekend—starting on Feb. 14.^[213]

NBA career statistics

[edit]

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high
†	Won an NBA championship	*	Led the league	‡	NBA record

Regular season

[edit]


Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
1969–70	Milwaukee	82*	—	43.1	.518	—	.653	14.5	4.1	—	—	28.8
1970–71†	Milwaukee	82	—	40.1	.577	—	.690	16.0	3.3	—	—	31.7*
1971–72	Milwaukee	81	—	44.2	.574	—	.689	16.6	4.6	—	—	34.8*
1972–73	Milwaukee	76	—	42.8	.554	—	.713	16.1	5.0	—	—	30.2
1973–74	Milwaukee	81	—	43.8	.539	—	.702	14.5	4.8	1.4	3.5	27.0
1974–75	Milwaukee	65	—	42.3	.513	—	.763	14.0	4.1	1.0	3.3*	30.0
1975–76	L.A. Lakers	82	82	41.2	.529	—	.703	16.9*	5.0	1.5	4.1*	27.7
1976–77	L.A. Lakers	82	82	36.8	.579*	—	.701	13.3	3.9	1.2	3.2	26.2
1977–78	L.A. Lakers	62	—	36.5	.550	—	.783	12.9	4.3	1.7	3.0	25.8
1978–79	L.A. Lakers	80	—	39.5	.577	—	.736	12.8	5.4	1.0	4.0*	23.8
1979–80†	L.A. Lakers	82	—	38.3	.604	.000	.765	10.8	4.5	1.0	3.4*	24.8
1980–81	L.A. Lakers	80	—	37.2	.574	.000	.766	10.3	3.4	.7	2.9	26.2
1981–82†	L.A. Lakers	76	76	35.2	.579	.000	.706	8.7	3.0	.8	2.7	23.9
1982–83	L.A. Lakers	79	79	32.3	.588	.000	.749	7.5	2.5	.8	2.2	21.8
1983–84	L.A. Lakers	80	80	32.8	.578	.000	.723	7.3	2.6	.7	1.8	21.5
1984–85†	L.A. Lakers	79	79	33.3	.599	.000	.732	7.9	3.2	.8	2.1	22.0
1985–86	L.A. Lakers	79	79	33.3	.564	.000	.765	6.1	3.5	.8	1.6	23.4
1986–87†	L.A. Lakers	78	78	31.3	.564	.333	.714	6.7	2.6	.6	1.2	17.5
1987–88†	L.A. Lakers	80	80	28.9	.532	.000	.762	6.0	1.7	.6	1.2	14.6
1988–89	L.A. Lakers	74	74	22.9	.475	.000	.739	4.5	1.0	.5	1.1	10.1
Career^[7]		1,560	789	36.8	.559	.056	.721	11.2	3.6	.9	2.6	24.6
All-Star^[7]		18	13	24.9	.493	.000	.820	8.3	2.8	.4	2.1‡	13.9

Playoffs

[edit]


Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
1970	Milwaukee	10	—	43.5	.567	—	.733	16.8	4.1	—	—	35.2
1971†	Milwaukee	14	—	41.2	.515	—	.673	17.0	2.5	—	—	26.6
1972	Milwaukee	11	—	46.4	.437	—	.704	18.2	5.1	—	—	28.7
1973	Milwaukee	6	—	46.0	.428	—	.543	16.2	2.8	—	—	22.8
1974	Milwaukee	16	—	47.4	.557	—	.736	15.8	4.9	1.3	2.4	32.2
1977	L.A. Lakers	11	—	42.5	.607	—	.725	17.7	4.1	1.7	3.5	34.6
1978	L.A. Lakers	3	—	44.7	.521	—	.556	13.7	3.7	.7	4.0	27.0
1979	L.A. Lakers	8	—	45.9	.579	—	.839	12.6	4.8	1.0	4.1	28.5
1980†	L.A. Lakers	15	—	41.2	.572	—	.790	12.1	3.1	1.1	3.9	31.9
1981	L.A. Lakers	3	—	44.7	.462	—	.714	16.7	4.0	1.0	2.7	26.7
1982†	L.A. Lakers	14	—	35.2	.520	—	.632	8.5	3.6	1.0	3.2	20.4
1983	L.A. Lakers	15	—	39.2	.568	.000	.755	7.7	2.8	1.1	3.7	27.1
1984	L.A. Lakers	21	—	36.5	.555	—	.750	8.2	3.8	1.1	2.1	23.9
1985†	L.A. Lakers	19	19	32.1	.560	—	.777	8.1	4.0	1.2	1.9	21.9
1986	L.A. Lakers	14	14	34.9	.557	—	.787	5.9	3.5	1.1	1.7	25.9
1987†	L.A. Lakers	18	18	31.1	.530	.000	.795	6.8	2.0	.4	1.9	19.2
1988†	L.A. Lakers	24	24	29.9	.464	.000	.789	5.5	1.5	.6	1.5	14.1
1989	L.A. Lakers	15	15	23.4	.463	—	.721	3.9	1.3	.3	.7	11.1
Career^[7]		237	90	37.3	.533	.000	.740	10.5	3.2	1.0	2.4	24.3

Awards and honors

[edit]

Halls of Fame

National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame – Class of 2007^[214]
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Class of 1995^[215]
NYC Basketball Hall of Fame – Inaugural Class of 1990
Pac-12 Conference Hall of Honor – Class of 2003^[216]
UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame – Inaugural Class of 1984^[217]

High School

2× Mr. Basketball USA (1964, 1965)
3× First-team Parade All-American (1963–1965)

NCAA

3× National College Player of the Year
- 3× Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year (1967–1969)
- 2× Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year (1967, 1969)^[218]
- 2× Sporting News College Basketball Player of the Year (1967, 1969)
- 2× Oscar Robertson Trophy winner (1967, 1968)^[218]
- 2× UPI College Basketball Player of the Year (1967, 1969)^[218]
- Naismith College Player of the Year (1969)^[218]
3× Consensus first-team All-American (1967–1969)^[218]
- 3× AP first team All-American (1967–1969)
- 3× USBWA first team All-American (1967–1969)
- 3× NABC first team All-American (1967–1969)
- 3× UPI first team All-American (1967–1969)
3× NCAA champion (1967–1969)^[218]
3× NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1967–1969)^[218]
3× Pac-8 regular season champion (1967–1969)^[c]
3× First-team All-Pac-8 (1967–1969)^[c]^[218]
3× Pac-8 scoring champion (1967–1969)^[c]^[220]
3× Pac-8 rebounding leader (1967–1969)^[c]^[221]
Pac-12 Player of the 20th Century^[d]^[222]
Pac-12 All-Century Team^[d]^[223]
No. 33 retired by UCLA Bruins
UC Presidential Medal (2024)^[224]
Pac-12 records^[d]
- Points per game, career: 26.42^[226]
- Points per game, single-season: 29 (1967)^[227]
- Total points, single-season: 870 (1967)^[228]

NBA

6× NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)^[7]
2× NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985)^[7]
6× NBA MVP (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)^[7]
19× NBA All-Star (1970–1977, 1979–1989)^[7]
15× All-NBA^[229]
- 10× First team (1971–1974, 1976–1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986)^[7]^[229]
- 5× Second team (1970, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1985)^[7]^[229]
11× NBA All-Defensive Team^[230]
- 5× First team (1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981)^[7]^[230]
- 6× Second team (1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1984)^[7]^[230]
NBA Rookie of the Year (1970)^[7]
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1970)
2× NBA scoring champion (1971, 1972)
NBA rebounding leader (1976)
4× NBA blocks leader (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980)
Elected to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team^[7]
One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996)^[7]
Elected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021)^[7]
No. 33 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
No. 33 retired by Los Angeles Lakers
November 16, 2012 – a statue of Abdul-Jabbar was unveiled in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles^[231]

As head coach:

USBL champion (2002)

As assistant coach:

2× NBA champion (2009, 2010)

Media

6× Sporting News NBA MVP (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)^[7]
2× Sam Davis Memorial Award (1971, 1974)^[232]
Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (1985)^[233]
Sporting News Rookie of the Year (1970)^[234]
Hy Turkin Memorial Award (1970)^[235]
Associated Press NBA 1970s All-Decade First Team^[236]
Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award (1989)^[237]
Marca Leyenda (2010)^[238]
Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award (2016)^[239]

Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016)

Film and television

[edit]

Playing in Los Angeles facilitated Abdul-Jabbar's trying his hand at acting. He made his film debut in Bruce Lee's 1972 film Game of Death.^[11]

In 1980, Abdul-Jabbar played co-pilot Roger Murdock in Airplane!^[25] He has a scene in which a little boy looks at him and remarks that he is in fact Abdul-Jabbar,^[240] spoofing the appearance of football star Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch as an airplane pilot in the 1957 drama that served as the inspiration for Airplane!, Zero Hour!^[241] Staying in character, Abdul-Jabbar states that he is merely Roger Murdock, an airline co-pilot; the boy continues to insist that Abdul-Jabbar is "the greatest", but that according to his father he does not "work hard on defense" and that he does not "really try, except during the playoffs".^[240] This causes Abdul-Jabbar's character to snap and break character: "The hell I don't!" He then grabs the boy and snarls that he has "been hearing that crap ever since I was at UCLA" and been "busting my buns every night!" He instructs the boy: "Tell your old man to drag [Bill] Walton and [Bob] Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes."^[240]^[242] When Murdock loses consciousness later in the film, he collapses at the controls wearing Abdul-Jabbar's goggles and yellow Lakers' shorts.^[240] In 2014, Abdul-Jabbar and Airplane! co-star Robert Hays (character Ted Striker) reprised their Airplane! roles in a parody commercial promoting Wisconsin tourism.^[243]

Abdul-Jabbar has had numerous other television and film appearances, often playing himself. He has had roles in movies such as Fletch, Troop Beverly Hills and Forget Paris, and television series such as Full House, Living Single, Amen, Everybody Loves Raymond, Martin, Diff'rent Strokes (his height humorously contrasted with that of diminutive child star Gary Coleman), The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Scrubs, 21 Jump Street,^[244] Emergency!, Man from Atlantis, and New Girl.^[245] Abdul-Jabbar played a genie in a lamp in a 1984 episode of Tales from the Darkside. He also played himself on the February 10, 1994, episode of the sketch comedy television series In Living Color.^[246]

Abdul-Jabbar appeared in the television version of Stephen King's The Stand, played the Archangel of Basketball in Slam Dunk Ernest, and had a brief non-speaking cameo appearance in BASEketball.^[247] Abdul-Jabbar was also the co-executive producer of the 1994 TV film The Vernon Johns Story.^[248] He has also made appearances on The Colbert Report in a 2006 skit called "HipHopKetball II: The ReJazzebration Remix '06",^[249] and in 2008 as a stage manager who is sent out on a mission to find Nazi gold.^[250] Abdul-Jabbar also voiced himself in a 2011 episode of The Simpsons titled "Love Is a Many Strangled Thing".^[251] He had a recurring role as himself on the NBC series Guys with Kids, which aired from 2012 to 2013.^[247] On Al Jazeera English he expressed his desire to be remembered not just as a player, but also as somebody who used their mind and made other contributions.^[252]

Abdul-Jabbar appeared in the music video for "Good Goodbye", a 2017 song by rock band Linkin Park featuring rappers Pusha T and Stormzy. In the video, Abdul-Jabbar plays the role of a warlord or emperor of a dunk contest where Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington has to dunk on several people in order to save his own life. In an interview about the video, Bennington said that he believes Abdul-Jabbar is the "greatest [basketball] player of all-time".^[253]

In February 2019, he appeared in season 12 episode 16 of The Big Bang Theory, "The D&D Vortex".^[254] In 2021, Abdul-Jabbar made a guest appearance as himself in a season 2 episode of Dave. The episode he appeared in was also named after him.^[255] Abdul-Jabbar makes a cameo appearance as himself in the 2022 Netflix film Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.^[256] In 2023, Abdul-Jabbar appeared as himself in season 7, episode 3 of the Showtime series Billions.^[257]

Writing

[edit]

In September 2018, Abdul-Jabbar was announced as one of the writers for the July 2019 revival of Veronica Mars.^[258]^[259]^[260]

Documentaries

[edit]

On February 10, 2011, Abdul-Jabbar debuted his film On the Shoulders of Giants, documenting the tumultuous journey of the famed yet often-overlooked New York Renaissance professional basketball team, at Science Park High School in Newark, New Jersey. The event was simulcast live throughout the school, city, and state.^[261] In 2015, he appeared in Kareem: Minority of One, an HBO documentary on his life.^[262] In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar was the executive producer and narrator of the History channel special Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution.^[263] He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his narration.^[264]

Reality television

[edit]

Abdul-Jabbar participated in the 2013 ABC reality series Splash, a celebrity diving competition.^[265] In April 2018, Abdul-Jabbar competed in the all-athlete season of season 26 of Dancing with the Stars and partnered with professional dancer Lindsay Arnold.^[266]

Writing and activism

[edit]

In 1967, Abdul-Jabbar was the only college athlete to attend the Cleveland Summit, a meeting of prominent black athletes who convened in support of Muhammad Ali's refusal to fight in the Vietnam War.^[60]

Abdul-Jabbar became a best-selling author and cultural critic.^[267]^[268] He published several books, mostly on African-American history.^[269] His first book, his autobiography Giant Steps, was written in 1983 with co-author Peter Knobler. The book's title is an homage to jazz great John Coltrane, referring to his album Giant Steps. Others include On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance,^[270] co-written with Raymond Obstfeld, and Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, World War II's Forgotten Heroes, co-written with Anthony Walton, which is a history of the first black armored unit to fight in World War II.^[271]

In 2015, Abdul-Jabbar made his adult fiction writing debut with the Victorian mystery novel Mycroft Holmes, based around the titular character from the Sherlock Holmes stories.^[272] Two sequels followed: Mycroft and Sherlock (2018) and Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage (2019). All three titles were co-written with Anna Waterhouse.^[273]^[274]

A regular contributor to discussions about issues of race and religion, among other topics, in national magazines and on television, Abdul-Jabbar has written a regular column for Time. He appeared on Meet the Press on January 25, 2015, to talk about a column saying that Islam should not be blamed for the actions of violent extremists, just as Christianity has not been blamed for the actions of violent extremists who profess Christianity.^[275]^[276] When asked about being Muslim, he said: "I don't have any misgiving about my faith. I'm very concerned about the people who claim to be Muslims that are murdering people and creating all this mayhem in the world. That is not what Islam is about, and that should not be what people think of when they think about Muslims. But it's up to all of us to do something about all of it."^[277]

In November 2014, Abdul-Jabbar published an essay in Jacobin calling for just compensation for college athletes, writing that "in the name of fairness, we must bring an end to the indentured servitude of college athletes and start paying them what they are worth."^[278] Commenting on Donald Trump's 2017 travel ban, he condemned it, saying: "The absence of reason and compassion is the very definition of pure evil because it is a rejection of our sacred values, distilled from millennia of struggle."^[279]

In 2017, Abdul-Jabber spoke at an event marking Ramadan organized by the Israeli consul Sam Grundwerg at the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles, stressing the importance of Muslim-Jewish relations and cross-cultural exchange.^[280]

In June 2021, he published an essay in Jacobin on the negative impact on public health of those refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, criticizing Kyrie Irving, among others.^[281] Abdul-Jabbar began publishing an online newsletter in 2021.^[282]

Government appointments

[edit]

Cultural ambassador

[edit]

In January 2012, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Abdul-Jabbar had accepted a position as a cultural ambassador for the United States.^[283] During the announcement press conference, Abdul-Jabbar commented on the historical legacy of African-Americans as representatives of U.S. culture: "I remember when Louis Armstrong first did it back for President Kennedy, one of my heroes. So it's nice to be following in his footsteps."^[284] As part of this role, Abdul-Jabbar traveled to Brazil to promote education for local youths.^[285]

President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition

[edit]

Former President Barack Obama announced in his last days of office that he has appointed Abdul-Jabbar along with Gabrielle Douglas and Carli Lloyd to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.^[286]

Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

[edit]

In January 2017, Abdul-Jabbar was appointed to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee by United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin. According to the United States Mint, Abdul-Jabbar is a keen coin collector whose interest in the life of Alexander Hamilton had led him into the hobby. He resigned in 2018 due to what the Mint described as "increasing personal obligations".^[287]

Personal life

[edit]

Abdul-Jabbar met Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (born Janice Brown) at a Lakers game during his senior year at UCLA.^[288] They married in 1971,^[289] and together had three children: daughters Habiba and Sultana and son Kareem Jr., who played basketball at Western Kentucky after attending Valparaiso.^[290]^[291] Abdul-Jabbar and Janice divorced in 1978. He has another son, Amir, with Cheryl Pistono. Another son, Adam, made an appearance on the TV sitcom Full House with him.^[292]

In 1983, Abdul-Jabbar's house burned down. Many of his belongings, including his beloved jazz LP collection of about 3,000 albums, were destroyed.^[293] Many Lakers fans sent and brought him albums, which he found uplifting.^[155]

In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar performed a tribute to friend Muhammad Ali along with Chance the Rapper.^[294]

Religion and name

[edit]

Alcindor grew up in the Catholic Church, but abandoned the faith when he left his home in New York for UCLA.^[295] At age 24 in 1971, he converted to Islam and legally became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which means "noble one, servant of the Almighty".^[296] He was named by Hamaas Abdul Khaalis.^[296]^[297] Abdul-Jabbar purchased and donated 7700 16th Street NW, a house in Washington, D.C., for Khaalis to use as the Hanafi Madh-Hab Center; a few years later, the location would become the place of the 1973 Hanafi Muslim massacre. Eventually, Kareem "found that [he] disagreed with some of Hamaas' teachings about the Quran, and [they] parted ways." In 1973, Abdul-Jabbar embarked on a pilgrimage to Libya and Saudi Arabia with the goal of learning enough Arabic for self-study of the Quran, and he "emerged from this pilgrimage with [his] beliefs clarified and [his] faith renewed".^[296] Abdul-Jabbar was also heavily influenced by Malcolm X, a leader of the Nation of Islam.^[296] Abdul-Jabbar was invited to join the group, but he declined.^[296]^[298]

Abdul-Jabbar has spoken about the thinking that was behind his name change when he converted to Islam.^[299] He stated that he was "latching on to something that was part of my heritage, because many of the slaves who were brought here were Muslims. My family was brought to America by a French planter named Alcindor, who came here from Trinidad in the 18th century. My people were Yoruba, and their culture survived slavery ... My father found out about that when I was a kid, and it gave me all I needed to know that, hey, I was somebody, even if nobody else knew about it. When I was a kid, no one would believe anything positive that you could say about black people. And that's a terrible burden on black people, because they don't have an accurate idea of their history, which has been either suppressed or distorted."^[300] His name change further eroded his public image in the United States, mostly in white areas.^[301]

In 1998, Abdul-Jabbar reached a settlement after he sued Miami Dolphins running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar (now Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar, born Sharmon Shah) because he felt Karim was profiting off the name he made famous by having the Abdul-Jabbar moniker and number 33 on his Dolphins jersey. As a result, the younger Abdul-Jabbar had to change his jersey nameplate to "Abdul" while playing for the Dolphins.^[302] The football player had also been an athlete at UCLA.^[303]

Health problems

[edit]

Abdul-Jabbar suffers from migraines,^[304] and his use of cannabis to reduce the symptoms has had legal ramifications.^[305] In November 2009, Abdul-Jabbar announced that he was suffering from a form of leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. The disease was diagnosed in December 2008, but Abdul-Jabbar said his condition could be managed by taking oral medication daily, seeing his specialist every other month, and having his blood analyzed regularly. He expressed in a 2009 press conference that he did not believe the illness would stop him from leading a normal life.^[306]^[307] Abdul-Jabbar is a spokesman for Novartis, the company that produces Gleevec, his cancer medication.^[308]

In February 2011, Abdul-Jabbar announced via Twitter that his leukemia was gone and he was "100% cancer free".^[309] A few days later, he clarified his misstatement: "You're never really cancer-free and I should have known that. My cancer right now is at an absolute minimum."^[308] In April 2015, Abdul-Jabbar was admitted to hospital when he was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Later that week, on his 68th birthday, he underwent quadruple coronary bypass surgery at the UCLA Medical Center.^[310]

In 2020 Abdul-Jabbar revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer eleven years earlier.^[311]

In February 2023, he spoke out about his atrial fibrillation diagnosis. He partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer's "No Time to Wait"^[312] to raise awareness of the symptoms of the irregular and rapid heart rhythm condition which increase the risk of stroke.^[313] In December 2023, he was hospitalized after he fell and broke his hip while attending a concert.^[314]

Non-athletic honors

[edit]

In 2011, Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Double Helix Medal for his work in raising awareness for cancer research.^[315]^[316] Also in 2011, Abdul-Jabbar received an honorary degree from New York Institute of Technology.^[317] In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama.^[318] In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for his work on the documentary special Black Patriots: Heroes of The Revolution.^[264]

Works

[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (May 2016)

Books

[edit]

Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem; Knobler, Peter (1983). Giant Steps. New York: Bantam Books. ISBN 0553050443.
Kareem, with Mignon McCarthy (1990) ISBN 0-394-55927-4.
Selected from Giant Steps (Writers' Voices) (1999) ISBN 0-7857-9912-5.
Black Profiles in Courage: A Legacy of African-American Achievement, with Alan Steinberg (1996) ISBN 0-688-13097-6.
A Season on the Reservation: My Sojourn with the White Mountain Apaches, with Stephen Singular (2000) ISBN 0-688-17077-3.
Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, World War II's Forgotten Heroes with Anthony Walton (2004) ISBN 978-0-7679-0913-6.
On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance with Raymond Obstfeld (2007) ISBN 978-1-4165-3488-4.
What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African American Inventors with Raymond Obstfeld (2012) ISBN 978-0-7636-4564-9.
Streetball Crew Book One Sasquatch in the Paint with Raymond Obstfeld (2013) ISBN 978-1-4231-7870-5.
Streetball Crew Book Two Stealing the Game with Raymond Obstfeld (2015) ISBN 978-1423178712.
Mycroft Holmes with Anna Waterhouse (September 2015) ISBN 978-1-7832-9153-3.
Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White with Raymond Obstfeld (2016) ISBN 978-1-6189-3171-9.
Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court (2017) ISBN 978-1538760468.
Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court (2017) ISBN 978-0316555388.
Mycroft Holmes and The Apocalypse Handbook. Illustrated by Josh Cassara. Titan Comics. 2017. ISBN 978-1785853005.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
Mycroft and Sherlock with Anna Waterhouse (October 9, 2018) ISBN 978-1785659256.
Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage with Anna Waterhouse (September 24, 2019) ISBN 978-1785659300.

Audio book

[edit]

On the Shoulders of Giants: An Audio Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance 8-CD Set Vol. 1–4, with Avery Brooks, Jesse L. Martin, Maya Angelou, Herbie Hancock, Billy Crystal, Charles Barkley, James Worthy, Julius Erving, Jerry West, Clyde Drexler, Bill Russell, Coach John Wooden, Stanley Crouch, Quincy Jones and other chart-topping musicians, as well as legendary actors and performers such as Samuel L. Jackson. (2008) ISBN 978-0-615-18301-5

Notes

[edit]

^ Minimum 2,000 field goals made.^[165] Ranked 23rd through 2023–24 season^[update].^[166]
^ The others are Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ben Wallace, and Dwight Howard.^[198]^[199]
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d UCLA played the 1966–67 and 1967–68 seasons in the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU) conference, which expanded and was renamed to the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8) by the 1968–69 season.^[219]
^ ^a ^b ^c After expansion, the Pac-8 is now known as the Pac-12.^[225]

References

[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bio". NBA.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016.
^ Appiah, Kwame Anthony; Gates, Henry Louis Jr., eds. (2005). Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. Oxford University Press. p. 5. ISBN 9780195170559.
^ ^a ^b Mitchell, Fred (March 23, 2012). "NBA's best all-time player? You be the judge". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
^ Dilbeck, Steve (April 1, 2013). "The growing pains for seven-footer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". The National. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Julius Erving interview". Grantland. December 20, 2013. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2014 – via YouTube.
^ "Legends profile: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". NBA.com. September 13, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "The Game's Greatest Giants Ever". ESPN. March 6, 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
^ "25 Greatest Players in College Basketball". ESPN. March 8, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "All-Time #NBArank: Kareem No. 2". ESPN. February 10, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Raymond, Nicholas (March 20, 2021). "Bruce Lee's Game Of Death: Why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Really Cameoed". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar named U.S. global cultural ambassador". Los Angeles Times. January 19, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
^ "President Obama Names Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom". Whitehouse.gov. November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016 – via National Archives.
^ "KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR". Sports Illustrated. July 6, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Biography and Interview". American Academy of Achievement. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ "Caribbean American Heritage Month Wall of Fame Day 7: Kareem Abdul Jabbar "Big Al"". MNI Alive. January 1, 2001. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
^ Karim, Andrew (November 3, 2017). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar goes back to his roots". CNW Network. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
^ Jamie Greene (27 December 2017), "The Great Big Beautiful Podcast, Episode 162: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar", Geek Dad.
^ "Childhood in New York". New York Magazine. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Alcindor The Awesome". Ebony. Vol. 22, no. 5. March 1967. pp. 91–97. ISSN 0012-9011. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
^ "African American Registry: Mr. Basketball and much more, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!". aaregistry.com. The African American Registry. Archived from the original on October 27, 2006. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar biography". Biography.com. 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ David Hoibert, ed. (2007). "Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem". The New Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (15 ed.). Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Incorporated. p. 21. ISBN 978-159339-292-5. OCLC 25228234. Retrieved October 20, 2022 – via Archive.org. Alcindor played for Power Memorial Academy (at 6 feet 8 inches) on the varsity for four years, and his total of 2,067 points set a New York City high school record.
^ ^a ^b ^c Didinger, Ray (May 25, 1989). "They Still Remember Power's Tower". Philly.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Dawson, Dawn P., ed. (2010) [1992]. Great athletes: Basketball (Revised ed.). Salem Press. pp. 1–4. ISBN 9781587654732. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Zaccardi, Nick (May 22, 2017). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar details passing on 1968 Olympics in new book". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ Johnson, Martenzie (May 13, 2021). "NBA creates Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award". ESPN. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Smith, Johnny (March 30, 2018). "The reign of Lew Alcindor in the age of revolt". Andscape. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^ Irving, Kyle (February 9, 2023). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar college stats: How many more NBA points could he have scored?". Sporting News. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (April 19, 2012). "Freshman life has changed". ESPN. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
^ Apodaca, Patrice (March 21, 2014). "Let's pause and recall the influence of Jerry Norman". Daily Pilot. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015.
^ McSweeney, John (February 25, 1966). "Rival cage coaches agree Alcindor may be greatest". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Lopresti, Mike (March 3, 2017). "Remembering the start of UCLA's dynasty, 50 years later". NCAA.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
^ Smith, Dean (October 2, 1983). "Why Freshman Should Not Play". The New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
^ "21 Turn Out As UCLA Opens Cage Practice". The San Francisco Examiner. UPI. October 16, 1965. p. 28. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c Florence, Mal (November 28, 1965). "Who's No. 1? UCLA Frosh Too Hot for Varsity, 75–60". Los Angeles Times. Sec. D, pp. 1, 10. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. Lew Alcindor strode onto the Pauley Pavilion court Saturday night and captured the town, completely demoralizing the UCLA varsity basketball team in the process
^ "Basketball Teams to Dedicate Pavilion". Los Angeles Times. November 21, 1965. p. K-5. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b Crowe, Jerry (May 27, 1990). "A Grand Opening : Pauley Pavilion and UCLA's Best Freshman Team Made Their Debuts Together 25 Years Ago". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Bruins Are Beaten—By Freshman Quintet". Corvallis Gazette-Times. November 29, 1965. p. 10. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Wittry, Andy (August 12, 2020). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: College stats, best moments, quotes". NCAA.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Schwartz, Larry. "Kareem just kept on winning". ESPN. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "NCAA Men's Basketball Records" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "Lew's Still Loose". Time Magazine. April 14, 1967. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
^ McLeaod, Mac (April 8, 1976). "The Dunk Is Back, What Does It Bring". The Daily Item. p. 1B. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Bill Littlefield (May 19, 2017). "50 Years Of Coach Wooden And Kareem, Through Racism, Olympic Boycotts And More". WBUR-FM. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
^ Crowe, Jerry (February 2, 2009). "His USC team stood around and waited to beat UCLA". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
^ Johnson, Gary K. (2005). "NCAA Men's Basketball Finest" (PDF). Ncaa Men's Basketball's Finest. National Collegiate Athletic Association: 11. ISSN 1521-2955. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
^ "Men's Basketball Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.com. p. 16. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
^ "Lew Alcindor HeadsHelms All American Hoop Quintet". The Daily Herald. p. 8. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b Florence, Mal (April 7, 1974). "Papa Sam Gilbert is someone special to UCLA cagers". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (Florida). (Los Angeles Times). p. 7D.
^ Prugh, Jeff (January 14, 1968). "Bruins win again without Alcindor. Big Lew Sidelined By Eye Injury Suffered in Game against Bears". Los Angeles Times.
^ "Los Angeles Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar flew home from Dallas". United Press International. December 20, 1986. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Jabbar, who wears goggles to protect his eyes during play, is suffering from recurring corneal erosion syndrome in his right eye. He returned to Los Angeles following an eye examination in Dallas early Saturday. Doctors explained that because Jabbar was poked in the eye so many times in the days before he wore goggles, scar tissue had formed on the cornea.
^ Wizig, Jerry (January 20, 1988). "It's been 20 years since they've played The Game of the Century". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012.
^ Nguyen, Thuc Nhi (January 19, 2018). "UCLA-Houston 'Game of the Century' still leaves impression 50 years later". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Eight days after scratching his cornea against Cal, Abdul-Jabbar was one of four UCLA starters to play all 40 minutes.
^ Esper, Dwain (March 25, 1968). "Bruins Hope Norman Stays". The Independent. Pasadena, California. p. 15. Retrieved July 22, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Gasaway, John (June 7, 2010). "John Wooden's Century". Basketball Prospectus. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
^ "Lew's Revenge: The Rout of Houston". Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
^ Diamant, Jeff (2010). "Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (Lew Alcindor)". In Curtis, Edward E. IV (ed.). Encyclopedia of Muslim-American History (1st ed.). New York: Facts On File. pp. 2–3. ISBN 978-1-4381-3040-8. OCLC 650849872. Retrieved January 15, 2020 – via Google Books.
^ ^a ^b Streeter, Kurt (February 7, 2023). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Is Greater Than Any Basketball Record". The New York Times. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
^ "Black Journal; 60; Kareem". American Archive. American Archive of Public Broadcasting. May 2, 1972. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
^ "Lakers Now". Los Angeles Times. January 27, 2006. Archived from the original on February 2, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
^ Huang, Mike (November 30, 2017). "How Bruce Lee became a muse for Kareem and an All-Rookie guard". ESPN. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
^ "UCLA 2019–2020 Men's basketball Information Guide". UCLA Bruins. October 2, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "2009–10 UCLA men's basketball media guide". UCLA Bruins. November 19, 2009. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
^ "New York Nets (1968–1975) 1969 Stats, History, Awards and More". Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.
^ "Scorecard". Sports Illustrated. April 7, 1969. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
^ "Alcindor Rejects A.B.A.'s $3.2-Million Offer and Will Sign With Bucks". The New York Times. March 30, 1969. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
^ "Seattle SuperSonics vs Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, February 21, 1970". Basketball Reference. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
^ "Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, April 3, 1970". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
^ "Top 10 NBA Players With The Most PPG During A Rookie Season: Wilt Chamberlain Was A Scoring God Since His First Season". MSN Sports. November 25, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^ "Jayson Tatum's rookie season ranks alongside best in Celtics' history". Sporting News. June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
^ "... And Bucks Win Sixth". The Ithaca Journal. December 15, 1971. p. 26. Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Oscar Had No Doubt". Wisconsin State Journal. May 1, 2021. Section 3, page 1. Retrieved July 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Spears, Marc J. (July 12, 2021). "Giannis dominating like Kareem revives Bucks' title hopes". Andscape. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ Smith, Terence (June 4, 1971). "Biggest Name in N.B.A.: Jabbar". The New York Times. p. 27. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
^ Seppy, Tom (June 4, 1971). "Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Also Known As Lew Alcindor) To Tour Africa". Sheboygan Press. Associated Press. p. 21. Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Abdul-Jabbar is Most Valuable". Kenosha News. UPI. March 22, 1971. p. 25. Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b "Basketball Pro Chart". The Lompoc Record. Newspaper Enterprise Association. October 24, 1974. p. 7. Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Jabbar—Most Valuable Player". The Fresno Bee. AP. March 21, 1974. p. D1. Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Deb, Sopan (July 11, 2021). "The Bucks Have Big-Time Supporters: Kareem and Oscar Robertson". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
^ Putnam, Pat (December 9, 1974). "Return of Ol Goggle-Eyes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
^ Goldaper, Sam (September 4, 1974). "Robertson Ends Career". The New York Times. p. 33. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Bonk, Thomas (December 25, 1987). "June 16, 1975: A Banner Day For Lakers : Kareem Takes His Post : 4 Players Bucks Got in Trade Gone, but He's Still on Job". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
^ Goldaper, Sam (March 18, 1975). "Bucks See No Need Now to Make Deal for Unhappy Abdul-Jabbar". The New York Times.
^ "Say It Ain't So Milwaukee Bucks". Sports Illustrated. May 30, 2001. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
^ "Abdul-Jabbar Fractures Hand". The New York Times. AP. October 6, 1974. Section 5, page 1. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Kareem Looks Different, Acts The Same". Wisconsin State Journal. November 25, 1974. Section 2, page 1. Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Jabbar on the move?". The Journal-News. March 14, 1975. p. 14B. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Jabbar Finally Confirms It: He Wants To Be Traded". Los Angeles Times. UPI. March 15, 1975. Part III, p. 1. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b Cady, Steve (June 17, 1975). "Abdul-Jabbar Traded by Bucks for Four Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
^ "Third NBA Scoring Title For McAdoo". The Sacramento Bee. April 13, 1976. p. C4. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Kareem keeps getting better". The Bakersfield Californian. October 7, 1976. p. 27. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Bock, Hal (May 14, 1995). "Special K : Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Survived on Talent and a Quiet Dignity". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
^ "The Players' Player: Jabbar". Los Angeles Times. April 2, 1976. Section III, p. 2. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Abadie, Chuck (April 13, 1976). "Jabbar is most valuable player?". Hattiesburg American. p. 14. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Goldaper, Sam (May 24, 1977). "Abdul-Jabbar Is Chosen M.V. P. for a Fifth Time". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
^ Dwyer, Kelly (September 4, 2014). "Dunk History: A healthy Bill Walton meets Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the summit". Ball Dont Lie. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Yahoo!.
^ Kirkpatrick, Curry (May 23, 1977). "L.A. Couldn't Move the Mountain". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Green, Ted (October 19, 1977). "Jabbar scores KO Over Benson". Los Angeles Times. Sec. III, pp. 1, 10. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c Montgomery, Paul L. (October 21, 1977). "Abdul-Jabbar Fined $5,000 for One Punch". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Wolfley, Pete (February 20, 2011). "Benson's NBA start did not lack punch". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Simmons, Bill (2009). The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to the Sports Guy. New York City: Ballantine and ESPN Books. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-345-51176-8.
^ Bonk, Thomas (May 16, 1985). "Abdul-Jabbar Tells His Side of the Fight—Just to League Office". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
^ Green, Ted (December 4, 1977). "An Added Punch*". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p. 1. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Jabbar replaces Magic for 19th All-Star game". Journal Gazette. Mattoon, Illinois. AP. February 11, 1989. p. B-3. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "After Another Hearing, Kuhn Still Undecided on Blue Deal". Los Angeles Times. January 25, 1978. Part III, p. 4. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Green, Ted (January 25, 1978). "Jabbar Silences Critics, 76ers—and Jabbar". Los Angeles Times. Part III, pp. 1–6. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Green, Ted (February 4, 1978). "Lakers Pull One Out of the Fire". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p. 1–5. Retrieved June 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Green, Ted (April 26, 1979). "SuperSonics Finish Off The Lakers, 106–101". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p. 1. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Pearlman, Jeff (May 14, 2014). "The 'Magic' coin flip (book excerpt)". ESPN. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Knoblauch, Austin (October 11, 2011). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Mahoney, Rob (March 2, 2022). "The Ineffable Cool—and Playing Style—That Made the Showtime Lakers 'Showtime'". The Ringer. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
^ Hollinger, John (June 16, 2011). "Greatest Finals performances: 21-30". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
^ Simmons 2009, p. 598.
^ ^a ^b ^c Johnson, Roy S. (June 2, 1985). "For Abdul-Jabbar, It's a Matter of Pride". The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Penner, Mark (March 8, 2013). "The Sixers trade for Moses Malone". Philadelphia Daily News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
^ Aschburner, Steve (September 13, 2015). "Moses Malone, dead at 60, was an NBA elite". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019.
^ Hollinger, John (June 16, 2011). "Greatest Finals performances: 11-20". ESPN. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
^ Bonk, Thomas (October 11, 1983). "Nixon Traded to San Diego; Kareem Signs". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p. 1. Retrieved January 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Newman, Bruce (April 16, 1984). "A SKY HOOK THAT WAS FOR THE BOOK". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
^ Strasen, Marty (2004). The Best Book of Basketball Facts & Stats. Firefly Books. p. 185. ISBN 155297782X. Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
^ ^a ^b Ganguli, Tania; Cacciola, Scott (February 2, 2023). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Was the 'Best Weapon in Basketball'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
^ Johnson, Roy S. (April 7, 1984). "ABDUL-JABBAR MAKES RETIREMENT POINTS". The New York Times. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
^ Fink, David (October 16, 1984). "Abdul-Jabbar says he'll retire". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 31. Retrieved January 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Littwin, Mike (October 25, 1984). "Lakers Are Hoping Abdul-Jabbar Has a Change of Heart". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p, 3. Retrieved January 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Nightengale, Bob (December 2, 1984). "Abdul-Jabbar vague on retirement". The Kansas City Star. Sports, p. 4. Retrieved January 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Jasner, Phil (December 23, 1984). "Kareem continues for Lucky Lakers". The Sunday Dispatch. p. 19. Retrieved January 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Barnard, William R. (November 23, 1984). "Abdul-Jabbar still unsure about retirement". The Messenger. AP. Basketball, p. 9. Retrieved January 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Bonk, Thomas (December 6, 1984). "Abdul-Jabbar Will Play Another Year—for $2 Million". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p. 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/162851142/ 17[. Retrieved January 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b Dodson, Aaron (June 9, 2017). "On this day in NBA Finals history: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes oldest Finals MVP". Andscape. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
^ Zillgitt, Jeff (May 2, 2020). "Day 52 without sports 🏀: Don't forget Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in greatest NBA player of all-time debates". USA Today. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
^ McCallum, Jack (January 4, 1985). "When L.A. Buried the Garden Ghost". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
^ Bonk, Thomas (September 28, 1985). "Lakers Move Closer to Signing Kareem for a Year or 2 More". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
^ Johnson, Roy S. (May 22, 1983). "THE LONG-RUN SUCCESS OF KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
^ Goldaper, Sam (February 12, 1984). "HAYES ENJOYING FAREWELL SEASON". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015.
^ Bonk, Thomas (November 13, 1985). "Abdul-Jabbar Signs for Another Year, Delays Decision on Whether to Play It". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p. 7. Retrieved January 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c Edes, Gordon (November 25, 1986). "The NBA : Abdul-Jabbar Adds Weight and Strength to Battle the Other 7-Footers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
^ Edes, Gordon (June 17, 1987). "Abdul=Jabbar Signs, Will Play Two More Years". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p. 2. Retrieved January 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "ABDUL-JABBAR READY FOR LAST HURRAH". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. August 8, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2024 – via Chicago Tribune.
^ ^a ^b ^c Baker, Chris (June 22, 1988). "Abdul-Jabbar Makes a Promise—He'll Return". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Abdul-Jabbar will return for one final season with Lakers". News Journal. Mansfield, Ohio. June 23, 1988. pp. 1-B, 5-B. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "The Lakers:Player by Player: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". Los Angeles Times. June 23, 1988. Part III-A, p. 9. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Goldstein, Alan (June 23, 1988). "Guarantees no longer necessary". Shreveport Journal. p. 3C. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Frauenheim, Norm (June 22, 1988). "Riley's prophecy now lore". The Arizona Republic. pp. F1, F3. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b McManis, Sam (April 23, 1989). "A Last Hurrah: For Abdul-Jabbar, a Season of Farewells Will Be Capped Today". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
^ Johnson, Earvin; Novak, William (1992). My Life. Random House. p. 124. ISBN 9780679415695. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
^ Littwin, Mike (June 18, 1989). "Pistons Win Title With Huge Asterisk Attached". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
^ "10 memories top his all-time list of great moments". Des Moines Sunday Register. April 30, 1989. p. 13D. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c Broussard, Chris (April 25, 2004). "A Legend Learns That He Needs to Be Liked". The New York Times. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Plaschke, Bill (December 2, 1997). "Abdul-Jabbar Figures NBA Needs a Coach Kareem". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Johnson, Earvin; Novak, William (1992). My Life. Random House. pp. 121–123. ISBN 9780679415695. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
^ Rogers, John (February 16, 2018). "A talkative Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reflects on becoming himself". Associated Press. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Talking with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Part II". Los Angeles Times. January 27, 2006. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
^ ^a ^b "Talking with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Part I". Los Angeles Times. January 25, 2006. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
^ Beard, Alison (January–February 2012). "Life's Work: An Interview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". Harvard Business Review. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
^ Crowe, Jerry (September 7, 2005). "Kareem Hopes to Teach Young Laker a Lesson". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
^ Jonathan Lemire (January 2004). "Keeping Up". Columbia College Today. Archived from the original on June 10, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
^ Doug Cantor (June 1, 2004). "Esquire: Q + A: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". Archived from the original on May 27, 2008. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
^ "Lakers hire Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as Special Assistant Coach". NBA.com. September 2, 2005. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
^ Markazi, Arash (May 19, 2011). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar unhappy". ESPN. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Volunteers As High School Coach On Indian Reservation in Arizona". Jet. November 23, 1998. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
^ Abramson, Mitch. "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar promotes new book, says he is not upset about lack of coaching opportunity in NBA". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Windhorst, Brian; Shelburne, Ramona (February 8, 2023). "LeBron's 38,390-point scoring record a triumph in longevity of mind, body". ESPN. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
^ Hoffman, Mark S., ed. (1990). The World Almanac And Book of Facts, 1991. Pharos Books. p. 886. ISBN 0886875781. Retrieved April 29, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
^ "NBA & ABA Career Leaders and Records for Field Goal Pct". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
^ Sexton, Joshua (August 4, 2011). "LA Lakers: Ranking the Most Clutch Players in Lakers History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Adande, J. A. "Secrets of the Skyhook". ESPN. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
^ DuPree, David (February 10, 1978). "5 Positions – 5 Special Skills". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
^ Harvey, Randy (May 26, 1983). "Lakers Have New Plan To Stop Malone". Los Angeles Times. Part III, pp. 1, 13. Retrieved April 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Hartman, Steve; Smith, Matt (2009). The Great Book of Los Angeles Sports Lists. Basic Civitas Books. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-7624-3520-3.
^ Johnson, Roy S. (May 22, 1983). "The Long-Run Success Of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
^ Goodwin, James (October 28, 2014). "Kareem Abdul Jabbar in UAE: NBA legend reveals fitness secrets". Gulf News. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Bonk, Thomas (May 29, 1984). "At 37, Abdul-Jabbar Is Going Against All Odds". Los Angeles Times. Part III, pp. 1, 6. Retrieved April 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is hot for yoga". Archived from the original on December 6, 2003. Retrieved May 23, 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ sports and yoga Posted by: dionne on 10-Jan-11 (January 13, 2011). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar does Bikram Yoga". Bikramyogavernon.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Ostler, Scott (September 26, 1979). "Lakers Hope More Is Less". Los Angeles Times. Part III, pp. 1, 5. Retrieved April 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b Smith, Gary (December 23, 1985). "Now More Than Ever, A Winner". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
^ Ostler, Scott (December 19, 1980). "Lakers Are Finding Out Why NBA Champs Don't Repeat". Los Angeles Times. Part III, pp. 1, 14. Retrieved April 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Murray, Jim (October 6, 1981). "Kareem Doesn't Get Any Respect". Los Angeles Times. Part III, pp. 1, 6. Retrieved April 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Murray, Jim (November 17, 1992). "A Chapter Closed, He Is Opening". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
^ Bjarkman, Peter C. (2002). Boston Celtics Encyclopedia. Sports Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 9781582615646. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
^ "Abdul-Jabbar to miss two games". The Morning News. Associated Press. October 14, 1980. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Abdul-Jabbar out with eye trouble". The Spokesman-Review. December 21, 1986. p. D2 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b DuPree, David (March 26, 1983). "Sky's the Limit With the Hook Of All Hooks". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
^ Maule, Tex (March 12, 2015). "SI Vault: How a coin flip helped the Milwaukee Bucks land Lew Alcindor". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
^ Nielsen, John (March 8, 1988). "The Shot That Reigns Over the Rim". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
^ Corvo, Michael (February 7, 2023). "LeBron James passes fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most points in NBA history". ClutchPoints. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
^ "Watch: Kareem passes basketball to LeBron after breaking record". RSN. February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
^ Botkin, Brad (February 8, 2023). "LeBron James passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become NBA's all-time leading scorer". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Turner, Broderick (November 12, 2009). "It just adds up: On points, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is Lakers' top center". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
^ Reynolds, Tim (January 25, 2024). "LeBron James makes history with 20th All-Star selection". NBA.com. NBA. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
^ "Everything you need to know about the NBA's 75th Anniversary Season". NBA.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
^ Simmons 2009, p. 601.
^ "NBA History – Rebounds Leaders". ESPN. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
^ "All Time Leaders: Blocks". NBA.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
^ Pro Basketball's All-Time All-Stars: Across the Eras. p. xxxi. Scarecrow Press, 2013.
^ "Magic's Dwight Howard wins NBA defensive award". CBC.ca. Associated Press. April 21, 2009. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
^ Aschburner, Steve (September 6, 2021). "Ben Wallace went from undrafted to Hall of Fame". NBA.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
^ Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (August 16, 2019). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Bruce Lee Was My Friend, and Tarantino's Movie Disrespects Him". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "All-time #NBArank: Counting down the 10 greatest centers ever". ESPN. January 19, 2016. Archived from the original on January 20, 2016.
^ Simmons 2009, pp. 594, 595
^ "Daily Dime: Special Edition The game's greatest giants ever". March 6, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
^ "SLAM's Top 100 Players Of All-Time: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, No. 4". Slam. May 3, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
^ "Ranking the top 74 NBA players of all time: Nos. 10-1". ESPN. May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
^ Spears, Marc J. (July 31, 2018). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the GOAT debate, his upcoming speaking tour and LeBron joining the Lakers". Andscape. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
^ Shelburne, Ramona (January 24, 2023). "Pat Riley talks Kareem, LeBron and the NBA record for longevity". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
^ "Heritage Auctions Summer Platinum Night Auction commands $13.67+ Million". Sports.ha.com. Heritage Auctions. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
^ "The NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, ranked: Where 76 basketball legends check in on our list". ESPN.com. February 21, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ "NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time, from MJ and LeBron to Lenny Wilkens". The Athletic. February 23, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
^ "adidas' Timeless Basketball Shoe Is Having a Incredibly Stylish Revival". Highsnobiety. September 16, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
^ "Adidas Relaunches Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Retro Sneakers". Kicks On SI. October 14, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
^ Newport, Kyle. "Adidas Honors Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 'The Blueprint' Crazy 8 Shoe". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
^ Marshall, John (November 18, 2007). "Abdul-Jabbar Honored by College Hall". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ "Hall of Famers". Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2009.
^ "Pac-12 Men's Basketball Hall Of Honor Inductees - CBS Sacramento". www.cbsnews.com. January 21, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
^ "Lew (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) Alcindor (1984) - Hall of Fame". UCLA. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
^ Pac-12 Conference @ Sports-Reference
^ "Men's Pac-12 Conference Yearly Leaders and Records for Points Per Game". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
^ "Men's Pac-12 Conference Yearly Leaders and Records for Total Rebounds Per Game". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
^ Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (March 10, 2016). "UCLA's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar selected as Pac-12 Men's Basketball Player of the Century (VIDEO)". Skyhook Foundation. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
^ FitzGerald, Tom (March 11, 2016). "John Wooden, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar lead Pac-12 All-Century team". SFGATE. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar awarded UC Presidential Medal". University of California. September 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
^ History of the Pac-12
^ "Men's Pac-12 Conference Career Leaders and Records for Points Per Game". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
^ "Men's Pac-12 Conference Single Season Leaders and Records for Points Per Game". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
^ "Men's Pac-12 Conference Single Season Leaders and Records for Points". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c "All-NBA & All-ABA Selections by Player". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c "All-Defensive Selections by Player". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
^ Elliot, Helene (November 17, 2012). "Lakers honor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with long-awaited statue". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^ "Sam Davis Memorial Award (MBWA NBA MVP) Winners". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ Bonk, Thomas (December 18, 1985). "Kareem Is Second NBA Player Named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
^ "NBA Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ "Hy Turkin Memorial Award (MBWA NBA Rookie of the Year) Winners". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar headlines AP's 1970s all-decade NBA team". AP News. December 16, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
^ "All Honorees". Academy of Achievement. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
^ "El MARCA Leyenda se acerca al cielo con Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". Marca (in Spanish). June 3, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jim Brown and Bill Russell to Receive the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award | Los Angeles Lakers". www.nba.com. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Zupanic, Jeffrey (April 5, 2017). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, from 'Airplane!' to Mount Union". Kent Record-Courier. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
^ Mertes, Micah (May 24, 2017). "'Don't call me Shirley': Memorable 'Airplane' lines, little-known facts". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
^ Abrahams, Jim; Zucker, David; Zucker, Jerry (June 11, 1979). "A I R P L A N E ! Shooting Script". Retrieved July 13, 2021 – via DailyScript.com.
^ Nicks, Denver (March 4, 2014). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Reprises 'Airplane' Role in Wisconsin Tourism Ad". Time. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabaar". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
^ Mark Medina (April 10, 2012). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar guest stars on Fox's 'New Girl' on Tuesday". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
^ Fields, Curt (April 14, 2006). "An All-Star Lineup 'In Living Color'". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ Kilian, Michael. "Vernon Johns: A New Hero For America". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ "HipHopKetball II: The ReJazzebration Remix '06". Comedy Central. March 14, 2006. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ "Das Booty – Hitler's Gold Pt. 2". Comedy Central. March 18, 2008. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ "The Simpsons – Season 22 Episode 17". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ One on One – Kareem Abdul Jabbar – Part 2. Al Jazeera English. February 6, 2010. Event occurs at 10:10. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ Platon, Adelle (May 5, 2017). "Watch Chester Bennington Ball Hard to Save His Life in Linkin Park's 'Good Goodbye' Video". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
^ Dicker, Ron (February 6, 2019). "Melissa Rauch And Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Make Quite A Pair In 'Big Bang Theory' Photo". HuffPost. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
^ Keveney, Bill (June 30, 2021). "How Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dunking on 'Dave' fits rapper's self-deprecating TV persona". USA Today. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ Lee Lenker, Maureen (November 25, 2022). "Angela Lansbury filmed her Glass Onion role on a laptop: Inside all the Knives Out 2 cameos". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
^ Wilson, Olivia (August 25, 2023). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Cameo in Billions Season 7 Episode 3". TV Acute. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
^ Polacek, Scott (September 25, 2018). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Joins Writing Staff of 'Veronica Mars' TV Show Reboot". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
^ Crucchiola, Jordan (September 25, 2018). "Veronica Mars Writers Room Adds Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Of Course". Vulture. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
^ Gelman, Vlada (April 28, 2019). "How Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Ended Up Writing for the Veronica Mars Revival". TVLine. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tells Newark students a tale worth learning". New Jersey Star Ledger. February 11, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
^ Lowry, Brian (November 2, 2015). "TV Review: 'Kareem: Minority Of One'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 4, 2015.
^ "HISTORY® Announces 'Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution'". History.com. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". Emmys.com. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^ "Bucks Legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar Making a Splash". NBA.com (Press release). February 8, 2013.
^ Thorbecke, Catherine (April 13, 2018). "Adam Rippon, Tonya Harding and more superstar athletes to face-off in Dancing With the Stars season 26". ABC News. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
^ Desta, Yohana (September 26, 2018). "Yes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Is Really Writing for the New Veronica Mars". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
^ Carroll, Rory (April 15, 2020). "On this day: Born April 16, 1947: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, American basketball player". Reuters. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
^ Rhoden, William C. (June 14, 2017). "Locker Room Talk: Abdul-Jabbar Is The Best Basketball Player—Period". Andscape. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
^ Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem; Obstfeld, Raymond (2007). On The Shoulders Of Giants : My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 1–288. ISBN 978-1-4165-3488-4. OCLC 76168045. S2CID 190584066. ISBN 978-1-4165-4991-8.
^ Zeise, Paul (May 16, 2004). "Plight of WWII black battalion brought to light". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
^ Flood, Alison (September 24, 2015). "Basketball veteran Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pens story of Sherlock Homes's brother". The Guardian. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
^ Parker, James (October 26, 2015). "'The Big Book of Sherlock Holmes Stories' and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 'Mycroft Holmes'". The New York Times. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
^ "MYCROFT AND SHERLOCK: THE EMPTY BIRDCAGE". San Francisco Book Review. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
^ Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (January 9, 2015). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: These Terrorist Attacks Are Not About Religion". Time. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Meet the Press". NBC News. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
^ Martin, Michael (November 1, 2015). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 'If It's Time To Speak Up, You Have To Speak Up'". NPR. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (November 12, 2014). "College Athletes of the World, Unite". Jacobin. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
^ Long, Michael G. (February 9, 2021). 42 Today: Jackie Robinson and His Legacy. NYU Press. p. 162. ISBN 9781479805624.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joins Israeli Ramadan event". The Times of Israel. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Jacobin: On Kyrie Irving's Vaccine Refusal". Jacobin. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
^ Stein, Marc (September 14, 2021). "One-on-one with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". The Stein Line. Retrieved January 12, 2025. The 74-year-old stopped playing five years before this fiftysomething started covering the NBA full-time, so I've never interviewed him at length until now, but we had a chat over email over the weekend about his writing (and some pressing NBA topics) after he made another publishing splash last Friday by launching his own Substack.
^ Beck, Howard (January 18, 2012). "Abdul-Jabbar Drafted by U.S. as Cultural Ambassador". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
^ Remarks With Cultural Ambassador Kareem Abdul-Jabbar . U.S. Department of State. January 18, 2012.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Global Cultural Ambassador – Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs". eca.state.gov.
^ "Obama makes wave of final appointments for well-connected friends, celebs". Fox News. January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Step Down from Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee". usmint.gov. United States Mint. April 5, 2018. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
^ Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (1983). Giant Steps. New York: Bantam Books. p. 227. ISBN 0-553-05044-3.
^ "No Lew Help". El Paso Herald-Post. UPI. May 29, 1971. p. A-6. Retrieved June 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Kareem's Son To Leave Valparaiso". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
^ "The Official Website of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar '2008' March". KareemAbdulJabbar.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
^ Toone, Stephanie (June 13, 2020). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's son accused of stabbing his neighbor". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
^ Thomas, Ron (February 11, 1983). "NBA Notes: Kareem loses a lot". USA Today. p. 5C.
^ Williams, Janice (July 12, 2016). "2016 Espy Award Nominees". Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
^ Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (May 4, 2017). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on being Muslim from the Sixties to today". Foster's Daily Democrat. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (March 29, 2015). "Why I converted to Islam". Opinion. Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
^ "KAREEM STILL CONTROLS 'ALCINDOR' NAME, COURT RULES". Chicago Tribune. February 9, 1996. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
^ "Center in a Storm". Sports Illustrated. February 19, 1973. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
^ Carswell, Shirley (February 16, 2017). "Who is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?". The Hilltop. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
^ Linderman, Larry (June 1, 1986). "A candid conversation with one of the greatest basketball players of all time". Playboy. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
^ Dwyre, Bill (January 21, 2015). "Let's appreciate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar while he's still with us". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
^ "Abdul-Jabbars Settle Their Suit". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 30, 1998. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
^ "NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wants NFL player to stop using name – the former Sharmon Shah, Miami Dolphin running back being sued by former basketball player". Jet. December 1, 1997. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved August 16, 2005.
^ Anderson, Dave (May 28, 1984). "Transferring A Headache". The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
^ "Abdul-Jabbar in drug arrest". BBC Sport. July 19, 2000. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
^ Turner, Broderick (November 10, 2009). "Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has leukemia". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
^ "Abdul-Jabbar battling leukaemia". BBC Sport. November 10, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
^ ^a ^b "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar updates health". ESPN. Associated Press. February 10, 2011. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tweets that he's 100% cancer free". Los Angeles Times. February 4, 2011. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
^ Holmes, Baxter (April 17, 2015). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has quadruple bypass surgery". ESPN. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar opens up about prostate cancer diagnosis to raise awareness about health care disparities".
^ "How I found out I had AFib - Kareen Abdul-Jabbar". no time to wait. Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
^ Kaplan, Anna (February 16, 2023). "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks out about atrial fibrillation diagnosis and shares symptoms". Today. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
^ Burke, Minyvonne (December 16, 2023). "NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hospitalized in L.A. after breaking his hip". NBC News. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
^ "Double Helix Medals Dinner". Doublehelixmedals.cshl.edu. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on being honored with Double Helix Medal, NBA lockout" Archived May 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. CNN – American Morning. (November 17, 2007). Retrieved June 8, 2015.
^ "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: NYIT Commencement 2011". Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
^ "Home – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar". KareemAbdulJabbar.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.

External links

[edit]

Official website
Career statistics from NBA.com and Basketball Reference
Basketball Hall of Fame profile
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at IMDb
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar collected news and commentary at The New York Times
Appearances on C-SPAN
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Muck Rack journalist listing site
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Newsletter On Substack

Links to related articles

v t e UCLA Bruins men's basketball 1966–67 NCAA champions
22 Kenny Heitz 33 Lew Alcindor (MOP) 42 Lucius Allen 44 Mike Warren 45 Bill Sweek 53 Lynn Shackelford Head coach John Wooden Assistant coach Jerry Norman

v t e UCLA Bruins men's basketball 1967–68 NCAA champions
22 Kenny Heitz 33 Lew Alcindor (MOP) 35 Mike Lynn 42 Lucius Allen 44 Mike Warren 45 Bill Sweek 53 Lynn Shackelford 54 Edgar Lacy Head coach John Wooden Assistant coach Jerry Norman

v t e UCLA Bruins men's basketball 1968–69 NCAA champions
22 Kenny Heitz 30 Curtis Rowe 32 Steve Patterson 33 Lew Alcindor (MOP) 34 George Farmer 35 Sidney Wicks 40 John Vallely 42 Terry Schofield 45 Bill Sweek 52 John Ecker 53 Lynn Shackelford Head coach John Wooden Assistant coaches Denny Crum Gary Cunningham

v t e 1967 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans
First Team	Lew Alcindor Clem Haskins Elvin Hayes Bob Lloyd Wes Unseld Bob Verga Jimmy Walker
Second Team	Louie Dampier Mel Daniels Sonny Dove Don May Larry Miller

v t e 1969 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans
First Team	Lew Alcindor Spencer Haywood Pete Maravich Rick Mount Calvin Murphy
Second Team	Dan Issel Mike Maloy Bud Ogden Charlie Scott Jo Jo White

NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player

1939: Hull
1940: Huffmann
1941: Kotz
1942: Dallmar
1943: Sailors
1944: Ferrin
1945: Kurland
1946: Kurland
1947: Kaftan
1948: Groza
1949: Groza
1950: Dambrot
1951: Not awarded
1952: Lovellette
1953: Born
1954: Gola
1955: Russell
1956: Lear
1957: Chamberlain
1958: Baylor
1959: West
1960: Lucas
1961: Lucas
1962: Hogue
1963: Heyman
1964: Hazzard
1965: Bradley
1966: Chambers
1967: Alcindor
1968: Alcindor
1969: Alcindor
1970: Wicks
1971: Porter *
1972: Walton
1973: Walton
1974: Thompson
1975: Washington
1976: Benson
1977: Lee
1978: Givens
1979: Johnson
1980: Griffith
1981: Thomas
1982: Worthy
1983: Olajuwon
1984: Ewing
1985: Pinckney
1986: Ellison
1987: Smart
1988: Manning
1989: Rice
1990: Hunt
1991: Laettner
1992: Hurley
1993: Williams
1994: Williamson
1995: O'Bannon
1996: Delk
1997: Simon
1998: Sheppard
1999: Hamilton
2000: Cleaves
2001: Battier
2002: Dixon
2003: Anthony
2004: Okafor
2005: May
2006: Noah
2007: Brewer
2008: Chalmers
2009: Ellington
2010: Singler
2011: Walker
2012: Davis
2013: Hancock
2014: Napier
2015: Jones
2016: Arcidiacono
2017: Berry
2018: DiVincenzo
2019: Guy
2020: None
2021: Butler
2022: Agbaji
2023: Sanogo
2024: Newton
2025: Clayton

*Ruled ineligible after tournament

Mr. Basketball USA winners

1955: Chamberlain
1956: Robertson
1957: Lucas
1958: Lucas
1959: Raftery
1960: Hawkins
1961: Bradley
1962: Russell
1963: Lacy
1964: Alcindor
1965: Alcindor
1966: Murphy
1967: Haywood
1968: Westphal
1969: McGinnis
1970: McMillen
1971: Lucas
1972: Buckner
1973: Dantley
1974: Malone
1975: Cartwright
1976: Griffith
1977: King
1978: Aguirre
1979: Kellogg
1980: Rivers
1981: Ewing
1982: Tisdale
1983: R. Williams
1984: J. Williams
1985: Ferry
1986: Reid
1987: Johnson
1988: Mourning
1989: Anderson
1990: Bailey
1991: Webber
1992: Kidd
1993: Wallace
1994: Lopez
1995: Garnett
1996: Bibby
1997: McGrady
1998: Lewis
1999: Bender
2000: Miles
2001: Wagner
2002: James
2003: James
2004: Telfair
2005: Ellis
2006: Oden
2007: Mayo
2008: Jennings
2009: Favors
2010: Barnes
2011: Kidd-Gilchrist
2012: Muhammad
2013: Wiggins
2014: Alexander
2015: Simmons
2016: Ball
2017: Porter
2018: Barrett
2019: Stewart
2020: Cunningham
2021: Holmgren
2022: Whitehead
2023: Boozer
2024: Flagg

Associated Press Men's College Basketball Player of the Year

1961: Lucas
1962: Lucas
1963: Heyman
1964: Bradds
1965: Bradley
1966: Russell
1967: Alcindor
1968: Hayes
1969: Alcindor
1970: Maravich
1971: Carr
1972: Walton
1973: Walton
1974: Thompson
1975: Thompson
1976: May
1977: Johnson
1978: Lee
1979: Bird
1980: Aguirre
1981: Sampson
1982: Sampson
1983: Sampson
1984: Jordan
1985: Ewing
1986: Berry
1987: D. Robinson
1988: Hawkins
1989: Elliott
1990: Simmons
1991: O'Neal
1992: Laettner
1993: Cheaney
1994: G. Robinson
1995: Smith
1996: Camby
1997: Duncan
1998: Jamison
1999: Brand
2000: Martin
2001: Battier
2002: Williams
2003: West
2004: Nelson
2005: Bogut
2006: Redick
2007: Durant
2008: Hansbrough
2009: Griffin
2010: Turner
2011: Fredette
2012: Davis
2013: Burke
2014: McDermott
2015: Kaminsky
2016: Valentine
2017: Mason III
2018: Brunson
2019: Williamson
2020: Toppin
2021: Garza
2022: Tshiebwe
2023: Edey
2024: Edey
2025: Flagg

Naismith Men's College Player of the Year

1969: Alcindor
1970: Maravich
1971: Carr
1972: Walton
1973: Walton
1974: Walton
1975: Thompson
1976: May
1977: M. Johnson
1978: Lee
1979: Bird
1980: Aguirre
1981: Sampson
1982: Sampson
1983: Sampson
1984: Jordan
1985: Ewing
1986: Dawkins
1987: D. Robinson
1988: Manning
1989: Ferry
1990: Simmons
1991: L. Johnson
1992: Laettner
1993: Cheaney
1994: G. Robinson
1995: Smith
1996: Camby
1997: Duncan
1998: Jamison
1999: Brand
2000: Martin
2001: Battier
2002: Williams
2003: Ford
2004: Nelson
2005: Bogut
2006: Redick
2007: Durant
2008: Hansbrough
2009: Griffin
2010: Turner
2011: Fredette
2012: Davis
2013: Burke
2014: McDermott
2015: Kaminsky
2016: Hield
2017: Mason III
2018: Brunson
2019: Williamson
2020: Toppin
2021: Garza
2022: Tshiebwe
2023: Edey
2024: Edey
2025: Flagg

Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year

1905: Steinmetz
1906: Grebenstein
1907: Kinney
1908: Keinath
1909: Schommer
1910: Page
1911: Kiendl
1912: Stangel
1913: Calder
1914: Halstead
1915: Houghton
1916: Levis
1917: Woods
1918: Chandler
1919: Platou
1920: Cann
1921: Williams
1922: Carney
1923: Endacott
1924: Black
1925: Mueller
1926: Cobb
1927: Hanson
1928: Holt
1929: C. Thompson
1930: Hyatt
1931: Carlton
1932: Wooden
1933: Sale
1934: Bennett
1935: Edwards
1936: Moir
1937: Luisetti
1938: Luisetti
1939: Jaworski
1940: Glamack
1941: Glamack
1942: Modzelewski
1943: Senesky
1944: Mikan
1945: Mikan
1946: Kurland
1947: Tucker
1948: Macauley
1949: Lavelli
1950: Arizin
1951: Groat
1952: Lovellette
1953: Houbregs
1954: Gola
1955: B. Russell
1956: B. Russell
1957: Rosenbluth
1958: Baylor
1959: Robertson
1960: Robertson
1961: Lucas
1962: Hogue
1963: Heyman
1964: Hazzard
1965: Bradley & Goodrich
1966: C. Russell
1967: Alcindor
1968: Alcindor
1969: Alcindor
1970: Maravich & Wicks
1971: Carr & Wicks
1972: Walton
1973: Walton
1974: Walton & D. Thompson
1975: D. Thompson
1976: Benson & May
1977: Johnson
1978: Givens
1979: Bird
1980: Griffith
1981: Aguirre
1982: Sampson & Worthy
1983: Olajuwon

Oscar Robertson Trophy winners

1959: Robertson
1960: Robertson
1961: Lucas
1962: Lucas
1963: Heyman
1964: Hazzard
1965: Bradley
1966: Russell
1967: Alcindor
1968: Alcindor
1969: Maravich
1970: Maravich
1971: Wicks
1972: Walton
1973: Walton
1974: Walton
1975: Thompson
1976: Dantley
1977: M. Johnson
1978: Ford
1979: Bird
1980: Aguirre
1981: Sampson
1982: Sampson
1983: Sampson
1984: Jordan
1985: Mullin
1986: Berry
1987: D. Robinson
1988: Hawkins
1989: Ferry
1990: Simmons
1991: L. Johnson
1992: Laettner
1993: Cheaney
1994: G. Robinson
1995: O'Bannon
1996: Camby
1997: Duncan
1998: Jamison
1999: Brand
2000: Martin
2001: Battier
2002: Williams
2003: West
2004: Nelson
2005: Bogut
2006: Morrison & Redick
2007: Durant
2008: Hansbrough
2009: Griffin
2010: Turner
2011: Fredette
2012: Davis
2013: Burke
2014: McDermott
2015: Kaminsky
2016: Hield
2017: Mason III
2018: Brunson
2019: Williamson
2020: Toppin
2021: Garza
2022: Tshiebwe
2023: Edey
2024: Edey
2025: Flagg

UPI College Basketball Player of the Year

1955: Gola
1956: B. Russell
1957: Forte
1958: Robertson
1959: Robertson
1960: Robertson
1961: Lucas
1962: Lucas
1963: Heyman
1964: Bradds
1965: Bradley
1966: C. Russell
1967: Alcindor
1968: Hayes
1969: Alcindor
1970: Maravich
1971: Carr
1972: Walton
1973: Walton
1974: Walton
1975: Thompson
1976: May
1977: Johnson
1978: Lee
1979: Bird
1980: Aguirre
1981: Sampson
1982: Sampson
1983: Sampson
1984: Jordan
1985: Mullin
1986: Berry
1987: D. Robinson
1988: Hawkins
1989: Ferry
1990: Simmons
1991: O'Neal
1992: Jackson
1993: Cheaney
1994: G. Robinson
1995: Smith
1996: Allen

The Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year

1943: Phillip
1944: Hall
1945: Mikan
1946: Kurland
1947–49: None selected
1950: Arizin
1951: White
1952–57: None selected
1958: Robertson
1959: Robertson
1960: Robertson
1961: Lucas
1962: Lucas
1963: Heyman
1964: Bradley
1965: Bradley
1966: Russell
1967: Alcindor
1968: Hayes
1969: Alcindor
1970: Maravich
1971: Wicks
1972: Walton
1973: Walton
1974: Walton
1975: Thompson
1976: May
1977: M. Johnson
1978: P. Ford
1979: Bird
1980: Griffith
1981: Aguirre
1982: Sampson
1983: Jordan
1984: Jordan
1985: Ewing
1986: Berry
1987: D. Robinson
1988: Hawkins
1989: King
1990: Scott
1991: L. Johnson
1992: Laettner
1993: Cheaney
1994: G. Robinson
1995: Respert
1996: Camby
1997: Duncan
1998: Jamison
1999: Brand
2000: Martin
2001: Battier
2002: Williams
2003: T. J. Ford
2004: Nelson
2005: Brown
2006: Redick
2007: Durant
2008: Hansbrough
2009: Griffin
2010: Turner
2011: Fredette
2012: Davis
2013: Oladipo
2014: McDermott
2015: Kaminsky
2016: Hield
2017: Mason III
2018: Brunson
2019: Williamson
2020: Garza
2021: Garza
2022: Tshiebwe
2023: Edey
2024: Edey
2025: Broome

v t e 1969 NBA draft
First round	Lew Alcindor Neal Walk Lucius Allen Terry Driscoll Larry Cannon Bingo Smith Bob Portman Herm Gilliam Jo Jo White Butch Beard John Warren Willie McCarter Bud Ogden Mike Davis Rick Roberson
Second round	Simmie Hill Bob Greacen Ron Taylor Willie Norwood Ken Spain Bernie Williams Ed Siudut Johnny Baum Gene Williams Wally Anderzunas Bill Bunting Dick Garrett Willie Taylor Willie Scott

NBA first overall draft picks

v t e Milwaukee Bucks 1970–71 NBA champions
1 Robertson 4 Smith 5 Winkler 6 Zopf 7 Allen 8 Webb 10 Dandridge 14 McGlocklin 18 Greacen 19 Cunningham 20 Boozer 33 Alcindor (Finals MVP) 35 McLemore
Head coach: Costello Assistant coach: Nissalke
Regular season Playoffs

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 1979–80 NBA champions
7 Byrnes 9 Chones 10 Nixon 14 Holland 15 Lee 21 Cooper 31 Haywood 32 Johnson (Finals MVP) 33 Abdul-Jabbar 52 Wilkes 54 Landsberger
Head coach: Westhead
Assistant coaches: Riley Thibault
Regular season Playoffs

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 1981–82 NBA champions
5 Jordan 8 Brewer 10 Nixon 11 McAdoo 21 Cooper 25 Kupchak 31 Rambis 32 M. Johnson (Finals MVP) 33 Abdul-Jabbar 34 C. Johnson 40 McGee 52 Wilkes 54 Landsberger
Head coach: Riley
Assistant coaches: Bertka Thibault
Regular season Playoffs

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 1984–85 NBA champions
4 Scott 11 McAdoo 12 Lester 21 Cooper 25 Kupchak 31 Rambis 32 Johnson 33 Abdul-Jabbar (Finals MVP) 35 Spriggs 40 McGee 42 Worthy 43 Nevitt 52 Wilkes
Head coach Riley
Assistant coaches Bertka Wohl
Regular season Playoffs

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 1986–87 NBA champions
1 Matthews 4 Scott 21 Cooper 24 Branch 31 Rambis 32 Johnson (Finals MVP) 33 Abdul-Jabbar 42 Worthy 43 M. Thompson 45 Green 52 Smrek 55 B. Thompson
Head coach Riley
Assistant coaches Bertka Pfund
Regular season Playoffs

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 1987–88 NBA champions
1 Matthews 3 Lamp 4 Scott 19 Campbell 20 Wagner 21 Cooper 31 Rambis 32 Johnson 33 Abdul-Jabbar 42 Worthy (Finals MVP) 43 M. Thompson 45 Green 52 Smrek 55 B. Thompson
Head coach: Riley
Assistant coaches: Bertka Pfund
Regular season Playoffs

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 2008–09 NBA champions
2 Fisher 3 Ariza 4 Walton 5 Farmar 6 Morrison 7 Odom 9 Sun 12 Brown 16 Gasol 17 Bynum 18 Vujačić 21 Powell 24 Bryant (Finals MVP) 28 Mbenga
Head coach Jackson
Assistant coaches Abdul-Jabbar Cleamons Hamblen Hodges Rambis Shaw
Regular season Playoffs

v t e Los Angeles Lakers 2009–10 NBA champions
2 Fisher 4 Walton 5 Farmar 6 Morrison 7 Odom 12 Brown 16 Gasol 17 Bynum 18 Vujačić 21 Powell 24 Bryant (Finals MVP) 28 Mbenga 37 Artest
Head coach Jackson
Assistant coaches Abdul-Jabbar Cleamons Hamblen Hazzard Hodges Person Shaw
Regular season Playoffs

NBA Most Valuable Player

1956: Pettit
1957: Cousy
1958: Russell
1959: Pettit
1960: Chamberlain
1961: Russell
1962: Russell
1963: Russell
1964: Robertson
1965: Russell
1966: Chamberlain
1967: Chamberlain
1968: Chamberlain
1969: Unseld
1970: Reed
1971: Alcindor
1972: Abdul-Jabbar
1973: Cowens
1974: Abdul-Jabbar
1975: McAdoo
1976: Abdul-Jabbar
1977: Abdul-Jabbar
1978: Walton
1979: M. Malone
1980: Abdul-Jabbar
1981: Erving
1982: M. Malone
1983: M. Malone
1984: Bird
1985: Bird
1986: Bird
1987: Johnson
1988: Jordan
1989: Johnson
1990: Johnson
1991: Jordan
1992: Jordan
1993: Barkley
1994: Olajuwon
1995: Robinson
1996: Jordan
1997: K. Malone
1998: Jordan
1999: K. Malone
2000: O'Neal
2001: Iverson
2002: Duncan
2003: Duncan
2004: Garnett
2005: Nash
2006: Nash
2007: Nowitzki
2008: Bryant
2009: James
2010: James
2011: Rose
2012: James
2013: James
2014: Durant
2015: Curry
2016: Curry
2017: Westbrook
2018: Harden
2019: Antetokounmpo
2020: Antetokounmpo
2021: Jokić
2022: Jokić
2023: Embiid
2024: Jokić

NBA Finals Most Valuable Player

1969: West
1970: Reed
1971: Alcindor
1972: Chamberlain
1973: Reed
1974: Havlicek
1975: Barry
1976: White
1977: Walton
1978: Unseld
1979: D. Johnson
1980: M. Johnson
1981: Maxwell
1982: M. Johnson
1983: Malone
1984: Bird
1985: Abdul-Jabbar
1986: Bird
1987: M. Johnson
1988: Worthy
1989: Dumars
1990: Thomas
1991: Jordan
1992: Jordan
1993: Jordan
1994: Olajuwon
1995: Olajuwon
1996: Jordan
1997: Jordan
1998: Jordan
1999: Duncan
2000: O'Neal
2001: O'Neal
2002: O'Neal
2003: Duncan
2004: Billups
2005: Duncan
2006: Wade
2007: Parker
2008: Pierce
2009: Bryant
2010: Bryant
2011: Nowitzki
2012: James
2013: James
2014: Leonard
2015: Iguodala
2016: James
2017: Durant
2018: Durant
2019: Leonard
2020: James
2021: Antetokounmpo
2022: Curry
2023: Jokić
2024: Brown

NBA Rookie of the Year

1953: Meineke
1954: Felix
1955: Pettit
1956: Stokes
1957: Heinsohn
1958: Sauldsberry
1959: Baylor
1960: Chamberlain
1961: Robertson
1962: Bellamy
1963: Dischinger
1964: Lucas
1965: Reed
1966: Barry
1967: Bing
1968: Monroe
1969: Unseld
1970: Alcindor
1971: Cowens & Petrie
1972: Wicks
1973: McAdoo
1974: DiGregorio
1975: Wilkes
1976: Adams
1977: Dantley
1978: Davis
1979: Ford
1980: Bird
1981: Griffith
1982: Williams
1983: Cummings
1984: Sampson
1985: Jordan
1986: Ewing
1987: Person
1988: Jackson
1989: Richmond
1990: Robinson
1991: Coleman
1992: Johnson
1993: O'Neal
1994: Webber
1995: Hill & Kidd
1996: Stoudamire
1997: Iverson
1998: Duncan
1999: Carter
2000: Brand & Francis
2001: Miller
2002: Gasol
2003: Stoudemire
2004: James
2005: Okafor
2006: Paul
2007: Roy
2008: Durant
2009: Rose
2010: Evans
2011: Griffin
2012: Irving
2013: Lillard
2014: Carter-Williams
2015: Wiggins
2016: Towns
2017: Brogdon
2018: Simmons
2019: Dončić
2020: Morant
2021: Ball
2022: Barnes
2023: Banchero
2024: Wembanyama
2025: Castle

NBA annual scoring leaders

1947: Fulks
1948: Zaslofsky
1949: Mikan
1950: Mikan
1951: Mikan
1952: Arizin
1953: Johnston
1954: Johnston
1955: Johnston
1956: Pettit
1957: Arizin
1958: Yardley
1959: Pettit
1960: Chamberlain
1961: Chamberlain
1962: Chamberlain
1963: Chamberlain
1964: Chamberlain
1965: Chamberlain
1966: Chamberlain
1967: Barry
1968: Bing
1969: Hayes
1970: West
1971: Alcindor
1972: Abdul-Jabbar
1973: Archibald
1974: McAdoo
1975: McAdoo
1976: McAdoo
1977: Maravich
1978: Gervin
1979: Gervin
1980: Gervin
1981: Dantley
1982: Gervin
1983: English
1984: Dantley
1985: King
1986: Wilkins
1987: Jordan
1988: Jordan
1989: Jordan
1990: Jordan
1991: Jordan
1992: Jordan
1993: Jordan
1994: Robinson
1995: O'Neal
1996: Jordan
1997: Jordan
1998: Jordan
1999: Iverson
2000: O'Neal
2001: Iverson
2002: Iverson
2003: McGrady
2004: McGrady
2005: Iverson
2006: Bryant
2007: Bryant
2008: James
2009: Wade
2010: Durant
2011: Durant
2012: Durant
2013: Anthony
2014: Durant
2015: Westbrook
2016: Curry
2017: Westbrook
2018: Harden
2019: Harden
2020: Harden
2021: Curry
2022: Embiid
2023: Embiid
2024: Dončić
2025: Gilgeous-Alexander

NBA annual rebounding leaders

1951: Schayes
1952: Foust and Hutchins
1953: Mikan
1954: Gallatin
1955: Johnston
1956: Pettit
1957: Stokes
1958: Russell
1959: Russell
1960: Chamberlain
1961: Chamberlain
1962: Chamberlain
1963: Chamberlain
1964: Russell
1965: Russell
1966: Chamberlain
1967: Chamberlain
1968: Chamberlain
1969: Chamberlain
1970: Hayes
1971: Chamberlain
1972: Chamberlain
1973: Chamberlain
1974: Hayes
1975: Unseld
1976: Abdul-Jabbar
1977: Walton
1978: T. Robinson
1979: Malone
1980: Nater
1981: Malone
1982: Malone
1983: Malone
1984: Malone
1985: Malone
1986: Laimbeer
1987: Barkley
1988: Cage
1989: Olajuwon
1990: Olajuwon
1991: D. Robinson
1992: Rodman
1993: Rodman
1994: Rodman
1995: Rodman
1996: Rodman
1997: Rodman
1998: Rodman
1999: Webber
2000: Mutombo
2001: Mutombo
2002: Wallace
2003: Wallace
2004: Garnett
2005: Garnett
2006: Garnett
2007: Garnett
2008: Howard
2009: Howard
2010: Howard
2011: Love
2012: Howard
2013: Howard
2014: Jordan
2015: Jordan
2016: Drummond
2017: Whiteside
2018: Drummond
2019: Drummond
2020: Drummond
2021: Capela
2022: Gobert
2023: Sabonis
2024: Sabonis
2025: Sabonis

NBA annual blocks leaders

1974: Smith
1975: Abdul-Jabbar
1976: Abdul-Jabbar
1977: Walton
1978: Johnson
1979: Abdul-Jabbar
1980: Abdul-Jabbar
1981: Johnson
1982: Johnson
1983: Rollins
1984: Eaton
1985: Eaton
1986: Bol
1987: Eaton
1988: Eaton
1989: Bol
1990: Olajuwon
1991: Olajuwon
1992: Robinson
1993: Olajuwon
1994: Mutombo
1995: Mutombo
1996: Mutombo
1997: Bradley
1998: Camby
1999: Mourning
2000: Mourning
2001: Ratliff
2002: Wallace
2003: Ratliff
2004: Ratliff
2005: Kirilenko
2006: Camby
2007: Camby
2008: Camby
2009: Howard
2010: Howard
2011: Bogut
2012: Ibaka
2013: Ibaka
2014: Davis
2015: Davis
2016: Whiteside
2017: Gobert
2018: Davis
2019: Turner
2020: Whiteside
2021: Turner
2022: Jackson Jr.
2023: Jackson Jr.
2024: Wembanyama
2025: Wembanyama

Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year

1954: Roger Bannister
1955: Johnny Podres
1956: Bobby Morrow
1957: Stan Musial
1958: Rafer Johnson
1959: Ingemar Johansson
1960: Arnold Palmer
1961: Jerry Lucas
1962: Terry Baker
1963: Pete Rozelle
1964: Ken Venturi
1965: Sandy Koufax
1966: Jim Ryun
1967: Carl Yastrzemski
1968: Bill Russell
1969: Tom Seaver
1970: Bobby Orr
1971: Lee Trevino
1972: Billie Jean King & John Wooden
1973: Jackie Stewart
1974: Muhammad Ali
1975: Pete Rose
1976: Chris Evert
1977: Steve Cauthen
1978: Jack Nicklaus
1979: Terry Bradshaw & Willie Stargell
1980: U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
1981: Sugar Ray Leonard
1982: Wayne Gretzky
1983: Mary Decker
1984: Edwin Moses & Mary Lou Retton
1985: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1986: Joe Paterno
1987: Bob Bourne, Judi Brown King, Kipchoge Keino, Dale Murphy, Chip Rives, Patty Sheehan, Rory Sparrow, & Reggie Williams
1988: Orel Hershiser
1989: Greg LeMond
1990: Joe Montana
1991: Michael Jordan
1992: Arthur Ashe
1993: Don Shula
1994: Bonnie Blair & Johann Olav Koss
1995: Cal Ripken Jr.
1996: Tiger Woods
1997: Dean Smith
1998: Mark McGwire & Sammy Sosa
1999: U.S. Women's Soccer Team
2000: Tiger Woods
2001: Curt Schilling & Randy Johnson
2002: ~~Lance Armstrong~~
2003: David Robinson & Tim Duncan
2004: Boston Red Sox
2005: Tom Brady
2006: Dwyane Wade
2007: Brett Favre
2008: Michael Phelps
2009: Derek Jeter
2010: Drew Brees
2011: Mike Krzyzewski & Pat Summitt
2012: LeBron James
2013: Peyton Manning
2014: Madison Bumgarner
2015: Serena Williams
2016: LeBron James
2017: Jose Altuve & J. J. Watt
2018: Golden State Warriors
2019: Megan Rapinoe
2020: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes, Naomi Osaka, & Breanna Stewart
2021: Tom Brady
2022: Stephen Curry
2023: Deion Sanders
2024: Simone Biles

NBA 50th Anniversary Team

NBA 75th Anniversary Team

Members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Players

Guards	R. Allen Archibald Barnett Beckman Belov Billups Bing S. Bird Blazejowski Borgmann Braun Brennan Bryant Carter Cervi Cheeks Clayton Cooper-Dyke Cousy Dampier Davies Drexler Dumars Edwards Endacott Frazier Friedman Galis Gervin Ginóbili Goodrich Greer Grentz Guerin Hammon Hanson Hardaway Haynes Holman Hyatt Isaacs Iverson Jeannette Jenkins D. Johnson M. Johnson K. Jones S. Jones Jordan Kidd Lieberman Maravich Marcari Marčiulionis Martin McDermott McGrady D. McGuire Meyers R. Miller Moncrief Monroe P. Moore C. Murphy Nash Page Parker Payton Petrović Phillip Posey Richmond Robertson Rodgers Roosma J. Russell Schommer Scott Sedran Sharman K. Smith Staley Steinmetz Stockton Swoopes Thomas D. Thompson Timms Vandivier Wade Wanzer Weatherspoon West Westphal Whalen J. White Wilkens Woodard Wooden
Forwards	Anthony Arizin Augustus Barkley Barry Baylor L. Bird Bosh Boswell Bradley R. Brown Cash Catchings C. Cooper M. Cooper Cunningham Curry Dalipagić Dandridge Dantley Davis DeBusschere Dehnert Duncan English Erving Foster Fulks Gale Garnett Gasol Gates Gola Hagan Havlicek Hawkins Hayes Haywood Heinsohn Hill Howell Hudson L. Jackson G. Johnson B. Jones King Korać Kukoč Lucas Luisetti K. Malone McClain B. McCracken J. McCracken McGinnis McHale Mikkelsen C. Miller M. Moore Mullin Nowitzki Pettit Pierce Pippen Pollard Pullins Radja Ramsey Rodman Schayes E. Schmidt O. Schmidt Stokes C. Thompson T. Thompson Twyman Walker Webber N. White Wilkes Wilkins Worthy Yardley
Centers	Abdul-Jabbar Barlow Beaty Bellamy Chamberlain T. Cooper Ćosić Cowens J. Crawford Daniels DeBernardi Divac Donovan Ewing Fowles Gallatin Gilmore Griffith Gruenig Harris-Stewart Houbregs Howard Issel Jackson W. Johnson Johnston M. Krause Kurland Lanier Leslie Lovellette Lapchick Macauley Maciel M. Malone McAdoo Meneghin Mikan Mourning S. Murphy Mutombo Olajuwon O'Neal Parish Reed Risen Robinson B. Russell Sabonis Sampson Semjonova Sikma Thurmond Unseld Wachter Wallace Walton Washington Yao

v t e Milwaukee Bucks
Founded in 1968 Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Franchise	All-time roster Draft history 1968 Records Head coaches Seasons Current season
Arenas	MECCA Arena Bradley Center Fiserv Forum
Personnel	Owner(s) Wes Edens Jimmy Haslam Jamie Dinan Mike Fascitelli Junior Bridgeman President Peter Feigin General manager Jon Horst Head coach Doc Rivers
G League affiliate	Wisconsin Herd
Retired numbers	1 2 4 8 10 14 16 32 33
NBA championships	1971 2021
NBA Cup championships	2024
Culture and lore	Radio network Bally Sports Wisconsin The Big O Bango 1970–71 championship season 1974 NBA Finals MECCA Court Fear the Deer Herb Kohl

v t e Los Angeles Lakers
Founded in 1946 Played in Detroit (1946–1947) and Minneapolis (1947–1960) Based in Los Angeles, California
Franchise	History All-time roster Draft history Accomplishments and records Head coaches Logos and uniforms Seasons Current season
Arenas	Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis Armory Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Kia Forum Crypto.com Arena UCLA Health Training Center
Personnel	Ownership Buss family (majority) Mark Walter, Todd Boehly, Patrick Soon-Shiong, Ed Roski Jr. (minority) President Jeanie Buss General manager Rob Pelinka Head coach JJ Redick
G League affiliate	South Bay Lakers
Retired numbers	8 13 16 21 22 24 25 32 33 34 42 44 52 99 MIC
NBA championships	1949 1950 1952 1953 1954 1972 1980 1982 1985 1987 1988 2000 2001 2002 2009 2010 2020
NBA Cup championships	2023
Rivalries	Boston Celtics Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Clippers Phoenix Suns Sacramento Kings San Antonio Spurs
Principal owners	Winston & Boring (1946–47) Berger, Chalfen & Winter (c. 1947–55) Berger, Chalfen, and Mikan (1955–56) Berger (1956–57) Short (1957–65) Cooke (1965–79) Jerry Buss (1979–2013) Jeanie Buss (2013–present)
Culture	Broadcasters radio network Laker Girls Laker Band Land of 10,000 Lakes Chick Hearn Lawrence Tanter Dancing Barry Flea Jack Nicholson Star Plaza statues "It Was a Good Day" "I Love L.A." 1989 video game 1992 video game
Film and television	Backstage: Lakers Fletch Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Starting 5
Lore	1948 Globetrotters–Lakers game Lowest-scoring game in NBA history 33-game win streak Showtime Shaq–Kobe feud The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul Kobe Bryant's 81-point game 2020 Calabasas helicopter crash Murals of Kobe Bryant Luka Dončić–Anthony Davis trade

v t e NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children
1990s	Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales and True Tales – Virginia Hamilton (1995) No Award (1996) No Award (1997) Let My People Go: Bible Stories Told by a Freeman of Color – Patricia McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack Jr. (1998) No Award If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks – Faith Ringgold (1999)
2000s	Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children – Sandra Pinkney (2000) Just the Two of Us – Will Smith (2001) Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales – Nelson Mandela (2002) My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Christine King Farris (2003) The 1963 Civil Rights March – Sabrina Crewe (2004) Girls Hold Up This World – Jada Pinkett Smith (2005) Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom – Carole Boston Weatherford (2006) Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson – Sue Stauffacher (2007) Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope – Nikki Grimes (2008) Our Children Can Soar – Michelle Cook (2009)
2010s	My Brother Charlie – Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete (2010) You Can Be a Friend – Tony and Lauren Dungy (2011) What Color is My World – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with Raymond Obstfeld (2012) Nelson Mandela – Kadir Nelson (2013) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After – Rachel Renée Russell (2014) Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America – Carole Boston Weatherford (2015) Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas – Gwendolyn Hooks (2016) Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History – Vashti Harrison (2017) Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race – Margot Lee Shetterly (2018) Sulwe – Lupita Nyong'o (2019)
2020s	She Was the First!: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm – Katheryn Russell-Brown (2020) Stacey’s Extraordinary Words – Stacey Abrams (2021) Stacey’s Remarkable Books – Stacey Abrams (2022) Crowned: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora – Kahran Bethencourt (2023) You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book – Taraji P. Henson and Paul Kellam (2024)

Authority control databases
International	ISNI VIAF FAST WorldCat
National	Germany United States France BnF data Japan Italy Australia Czech Republic Spain Netherlands Poland Israel
Academics	CiNii
Artists	MusicBrainz Emmy Awards
People	Trove Deutsche Biographie DDB
Other	IdRef SNAC