Ayrton Oneill
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., is one of the most celebrated basketball players in history. He played professionally for 20 seasons in the NBA, for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, and played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins as a centre. Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, winning a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and being named to three NBA anniversary teams. Despite his success, Abdul-Jabbar boycotted the 1968 Summer Olympics and decided not to try out for the US Olympic basketball team, protesting the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States. So, did Kareem hate basketball?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| Born | 16 April 1947 |
| Birth Name | Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. |
| Religion | Sunni Islam (converted from Catholicism in 1968) |
| School | Power Memorial, a private Catholic high school in New York City |
| College | UCLA Bruins |
| NBA Teams | Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1975 onwards) |
| NBA Championships | 6 as a player, 2 as an assistant coach |
| NBA MVP Awards | 6 |
| NBA All-Star | 19-time |
| All-NBA Team | 15-time |
| NBA All-Defensive Team | 11-time |
| NBA Anniversary Teams | 3 (35th, 50th, 75th) |
| Trademark Shot | Skyhook |
| Coaching Aspirations | Unsuccessful |
| Other Achievements | Successful writer, historian, and filmmaker; studied martial arts under Bruce Lee |
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What You'll Learn
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's basketball career
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Playing under the name Lew Alcindor for Power Memorial, a private Catholic high school in New York City, Abdul-Jabbar led his team to 71 consecutive wins. He went on to play college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, winning three consecutive national championships.
Alcindor converted to Sunni Islam from Catholicism in 1968, taking the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which roughly translates to "noble one, servant of the Almighty". However, he did not start using his new name publicly until 1971. In 1969, he was drafted with the first overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft. He spent six seasons with the team, leading them to their first NBA championship in 1971 at the age of 24.
Abdul-Jabbar remained a dominant force in the NBA for years, winning his third MVP Award in 1974. He was among the top five NBA players in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, and field goal percentage. He went on to win four more MVP awards and five more NBA Championships in his career. Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record in 1984 and held it until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.
Abdul-Jabbar's trademark skyhook was widely considered one of the most classic and lethal offensive weapons in basketball history. He brought finesse and agility to the center position, becoming one of the game's most talented and recognisable figures. Many basketball legends and experts consider him the greatest player ever.
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Boycotting the 1968 Olympics
The 1968 Olympics in Mexico City were the most politically charged Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin. The games were marked by protests and boycotts, with athletes using the international stage to highlight racial injustice and inequality.
One of the most notable boycotts was by Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was then the most prominent college athlete in the United States and an outstanding basketball player. Alcindor boycotted the 1968 Summer Olympics by deciding not to try out for the US Olympic basketball team. He was protesting the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States, stating that he wanted to:
> "point out to the world the futility of winning the gold medal for this country and then coming back to live under oppression".
Another famous protest was the "Black Power salute" by Tommie Smith and John Carlos, two African-American athletes who won gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter running event. During the medal ceremony, they raised black-gloved fists during the playing of the US national anthem, with their heads bowed. They wore black socks and stood on the podium facing the US flag, keeping their fists raised until the anthem finished. They described the gesture as a tribute to their African-American heritage and a protest against their country's treatment of Black citizens. Smith and Carlos were largely ostracized for their actions and received criticism and death threats.
The 1968 Olympics also saw protests against the Mexican government's use of funds for the Games rather than social programs, resulting in the deaths of over 200 protesters just ten days before the opening ceremony. The Olympics have often been a platform for political statements, but the 1968 Games in Mexico City stand out as a particularly explosive and divisive moment in the history of the modern Olympics.
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Kareem's skyhook shot
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Standing at 7'2", Abdul-Jabbar was known for his trademark skyhook shot, which was virtually unstoppable.
The skyhook was a highly effective shot that Abdul-Jabbar used to great success throughout his career. He would sweep his left leg across the lane, planting it firmly on the ground, while his right leg bent 90 degrees in mid-air. His right arm would tuck behind his head before unfurling straight in the air, with his left arm raised to protect the inside of the ball and then sweeping down. This fluid motion allowed Abdul-Jabbar to reach an incredible height, with his release point estimated to be about 10 to 11 feet in the air. This height, combined with his arm strength, allowed him to generate a soft backspin on the ball, making the shot extremely difficult to block.
Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook was so effective that he claimed nobody had ever blocked it head-on. While this claim has been disputed, with clips showing blocks by Wilt Chamberlain and Ralph Sampson, it was undoubtedly a formidable shot. The skyhook became an iconic part of Abdul-Jabbar's playing style and helped establish him as one of the league's top scorers.
Despite its success, the skyhook has not been widely adopted by subsequent generations of players. Some have suggested that the shot is not considered "cool" enough for today's game, with players prioritising style and trendiness. Additionally, the rise in popularity of the three-point shot has shifted the focus away from post-play and two-pointers, like those typically scored with the skyhook.
The skyhook remains a testament to Abdul-Jabbar's skill and innovation as a player, even if it has not seen widespread imitation. It is a reminder of the unique abilities that contributed to his legendary status in the NBA.
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Kareem's coaching aspirations
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., is one of the most celebrated players in basketball history. During his 20-season professional career, Abdul-Jabbar played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA and the UCLA Bruins during his college career. Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, winning a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and being named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Despite his success as a player, Abdul-Jabbar's aspirations to become a head coach were not immediately realised. He did, however, find success as an assistant coach, winning two NBA championships in this role. Abdul-Jabbar's natural leadership on the court and extensive knowledge of the game suggest that he would have been an excellent head coach.
Abdul-Jabbar's impact extended beyond the basketball court. He was known for his social activism, boycotting the 1968 Summer Olympics as a protest against the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States. This activism continued throughout his life, as he later became a successful writer, historian, and filmmaker, producing works that highlighted unsung African-American heroes.
While Abdul-Jabbar's initial coaching aspirations did not come to fruition, his legacy in basketball is undeniable. His skill, leadership, and social consciousness have inspired generations of players and fans alike, and his impact on the sport will continue to be felt for years to come. Abdul-Jabbar's post-playing career demonstrates his ability to mentor and develop talent, even if it was not in the specific role he initially aspired to.
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Kareem's life after basketball
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former basketball player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. After a 20-season professional playing career in the NBA, Abdul-Jabbar went on to have a successful post-basketball life.
Abdul-Jabbar was appointed to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee by the United States Secretary of the Treasury in 2017. He is a keen coin collector, with an interest in the life of Alexander Hamilton being what drew him to the hobby. He resigned from the committee in 2018 due to increasing personal obligations.
Abdul-Jabbar has also ventured into the world of film and television. He debuted his film 'On the Shoulders of Giants' in 2011, a documentary about the New York Renaissance professional basketball team. He has since appeared in several other documentaries, including 'Kareem: Minority of One' in 2015, which focused on his life. In 2018, he competed in the celebrity reality show 'Dancing with the Stars'.
Abdul-Jabbar has also found success as a writer and historian, producing several well-received books, including one about unsung African-American heroes. He has also written about a variety of other topics, such as his interest in coin collecting and his life as a basketball player.
Abdul-Jabbar's life after basketball has been varied and accomplished, showcasing his many talents and interests beyond the basketball court. He has established himself as a successful filmmaker, television personality, writer, and historian.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the most celebrated players in basketball history. He played professionally for 20 seasons in the NBA and won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards.
Yes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, boycotted the 1968 Summer Olympics. He decided not to try out for the U.S. Olympic basketball team, who went on to win the gold medal. He was protesting the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States.
Yes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for the UCLA Bruins during his time in college. He led the team to three consecutive national championships under head coach John Wooden.
