Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

2.1. Childhood Environment and Influences

Alcindor grew up in the Dyckman Street projects in the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, moving there at the age of three in 1950. His parents enrolled him in St. Jude's parish Catholic School, where he was one of only two African American students. He also spent time at Holy Providence, a school in Pennsylvania, but his parents brought him back to St. Jude's in 1957 due to the rough behavior of other students.

From birth, Alcindor was unusually large, weighing 12 oz and measuring 22.5 in long. He was notably tall for his age, reaching 5 in by age nine and 6 in by eighth grade, at which point he could already slam dunk a basketball. His exceptional height often made him feel self-conscious, leading to periods of depression as a teenager due to the stares and comments he received. Despite his shyness, he was a bright student with a high IQ and excellent academic performance. He engaged in various sports, including baseball, swimming, ice skating, and running, but his unique physical attributes naturally drew him to basketball. His early coach, Farrell Hopkins, recognized his talent and allowed him to practice beyond regular hours, helping him develop his skills.

The Harlem riot of 1964, prompted by the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old Black boy by a New York police officer, significantly impacted Alcindor, sparking his interest in racial politics. He later reflected on this period, stating, "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." This early experience with social injustice shaped his developing perspectives and laid the groundwork for his future activism.

4.1. Career at UCLA

Due to NBA rules at the time, Alcindor was not eligible to play professionally straight out of high school, as the league only accepted players who could have hypothetically graduated from college. He was highly sought after by hundreds of schools, becoming the most recruited prospect since Wilt Chamberlain. Even segregated Southern teams were willing to break the color line to recruit him. Alcindor ultimately chose UCLA, recruited by assistant coach Jerry Norman, seeking a balance between education and sports. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history.

Standing 7 in tall, Alcindor was initially relegated to the freshman team in his first year (1965-66), as freshmen were ineligible for varsity play until 1972. However, his talent was immediately apparent. On November 27, 1965, in the inaugural game at UCLA's new Pauley Pavilion, Alcindor led the freshman team to a 75-60 victory over the two-time defending national champion varsity squad, a feat never before achieved. He scored 31 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in that game. The freshman team finished the season undefeated with a 21-0 record, with Alcindor averaging 33 points and 21 rebounds per game.

Alcindor made his varsity debut as a sophomore in 1966, garnering national attention. He scored 56 points in his first game, breaking UCLA's single-game record, and later scored 61 points in another game that season. He led UCLA to an undefeated 30-0 record and a national championship, the first of seven consecutive titles for the Bruins and their third in four years.

His three-year varsity record was an astounding 88 wins and only two losses. One loss was to the University of Houston in the "Game of the Century" on January 20, 1968, a nationally televised game in the Astrodome. Alcindor was hampered by a scratched left cornea from a previous game, limiting him to 15 points as Houston won 71-69, ending UCLA's 47-game winning streak. In a rematch in the NCAA tournament semifinals, a healthy Alcindor led UCLA to a dominant 101-69 victory over Houston. The other loss was to crosstown rival USC, who employed a "stall game" (holding the ball due to the absence of a shot clock), limiting Alcindor to just 10 points. As a senior in 1968-69, Alcindor led the Bruins to their third consecutive national title. He concluded his UCLA career with 2,325 points (averaging 26.4 points per game) and 1,367 rebounds (averaging 15.5 rebounds per game).

4.2. Dominance and Awards in NCAA

Alcindor's college career was marked by an unprecedented collection of awards and records. He was a three-time national player of the year (1967-1969), a three-time unanimous first-team All-American (1967-1969), and played on three NCAA basketball champion teams (1967, 1968, and 1969). He 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. He also won the Oscar Robertson Trophy twice (1967, 1968) and the UPI College Basketball Player of the Year twice (1967, 1969). Alcindor is the only player to win the Helms Foundation Player of the Year award three times.

Following the 1967 season, the slam dunk was controversially banned in college basketball, an attempt by the NCAA to curb Alcindor's overwhelming dominance. This rule, dubbed the "Alcindor Rule" by critics, was not rescinded until the 1976-77 season. In response, Alcindor developed his signature "skyhook" shot, which became virtually unstoppable.

As of the 2019-20 UCLA season, he still holds or shares numerous individual records at UCLA, including the highest career scoring average (26.4 points per game), most career field goals (943, tied with Don MacLean), most points in a season (870 in 1967), highest season scoring average (29.0 points per game in 1967), and most field goals in a single game (26). He also ranks in the top ten for season and career rebounds, second only to Bill Walton.

4.3. 1968 Olympic Boycott

During the summer of 1968, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. underwent a profound personal transformation. He converted to Sunni Islam from Catholicism, taking the shahada twice, although he did not publicly adopt the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar until 1971.

A significant act of protest during this period was his decision to boycott the 1968 Summer Olympics, opting not to try out for the U.S. Olympic basketball team, which subsequently won the gold medal. Alcindor's boycott was a powerful statement against the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States. He articulated his stance by 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." This decision highlighted his early commitment to social justice and civil rights, a theme that would continue throughout his public life.

5.1. Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975)

Abdul-Jabbar's professional journey began with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he quickly established himself as a dominant force in the league.

5.2. Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989)

Abdul-Jabbar's move to the Los Angeles Lakers marked the beginning of another highly successful chapter in his career, culminating in the iconic "Showtime" era.

6.1. Offensive Skills

On offense, Abdul-Jabbar was a dominant low-post threat. While he was a slender giant in his early years, standing 7 in tall and weighing around 240 lb ^{(240 lb)}, he later bulked up to 270 lb ^{(270 lb)} in 1986 to better compete against the increasing number of tall centers. In his early career, he leveraged his frame for agility and speed, while in later years, his larger build helped him guard under the basket.

Abdul-Jabbar was most famous for his ambidextrous "skyhook" shot. This iconic move involved him raising the ball and releasing it at the highest point of his arm's arching motion, often from up to 16 ft. With his long arms and immense height, he released the ball so high that it was nearly impossible for defenders to block without committing a goaltending violation. His body positioning, placing himself between the defender and the ball, further complicated attempts to block the shot, as did his practice of extending his non-shooting arm to fend off opponents. While he was stronger shooting the skyhook with his right hand, he developed a proficient left-hand version in his later years.

The skyhook contributed significantly to his .559 career field goal percentage, which ranked eighth in NBA history at the time of his retirement. He shot above 50% in every season except his last, cementing his reputation as a feared clutch shooter. Abdul-Jabbar learned the move in fifth grade after practicing the ambidextrous Mikan Drill, valuing it as "the only shot I could use that didn't get smashed back in my face." He also observed Cliff Hagan's hook shot. His college coach, John Wooden, advised him to keep the ball close to his body and use a straighter motion to prevent blocks from behind, further refining the shot. His hook shot improved after the dunk was banned in college, and in his final college years, he often released the ball several feet above the rim. Despite his offensive versatility, Abdul-Jabbar only made one 3-point field goal out of 18 attempts throughout his entire career.

6.2. Defensive Skills

Abdul-Jabbar maintained a dominant presence on the defensive end of the court. He was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team an impressive eleven times, a testament to his consistent defensive impact. He frustrated opponents with his superior shot-blocking ability, averaging 2.6 blocks per game over his career. He ranks third all-time in registered blocks (3,189), a remarkable feat considering that blocks were not officially recorded until his fourth year in the league (1974). He is also one of only five players in NBA history to have led the league in both rebounding and blocks in the same season.

While he was an excellent rebounder, he was not an aggressive one, relying more on his immense size as a 7 ft player rather than pure positioning. After enduring years of physical play early in his career, his rebounding average settled between six and eight per game in his later years.

6.3. Fitness and Durability

Abdul-Jabbar's dedication to a strict fitness regime was a key factor in his remarkable durability and longevity, making him one of the most enduring players of all time. He began a year-round conditioning program at age 26. While in Los Angeles, he started practicing yoga in 1976 to improve his flexibility, becoming a pioneer in its use among NBA players. He famously stated, "There is no way I could have played as long as I did without yoga."

Despite his metabolism making it difficult to gain weight, he managed to add 10 lb ^{(10 lb)} (from 240 lb ^{(240 lb)} to 250 lb ^{(250 lb)}) before the 1979-80 season by switching from free weights to Nautilus equipment. He also transitioned from tai chi to yoga that offseason. To mitigate wear and tear during his later years, coach Pat Riley implemented strategies such as having him avoid inbound duties on made baskets and waiting at the opposite end of the court on free throws. Abdul-Jabbar himself described playing a "smarter game" to conserve energy, sometimes being the last player to set up on offense after staying back on defense. When criticized for not hustling, he explained, "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." He finished his career with then-NBA records of 20 seasons and 1,560 games played, later surpassed by Robert Parish.

Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles after being poked in the eye during preseason in 1974. He continued wearing them for years, briefly abandoning them in the 1979 playoffs before resuming their use in October 1980 after another accidental eye poke. Years of eye injuries led him to develop corneal erosion syndrome, causing occasional pain.

6.4. Leadership and Teamwork

As a teammate, Abdul-Jabbar was a natural leader, affectionately known as "Cap" or "Captain" by his peers. He possessed an even temperament, which coach Pat Riley noted made him highly coachable. However, early in his career, Abdul-Jabbar developed a reputation for being introverted and sullen, often unfriendly with the media. His sensitivity and shyness were sometimes perceived as aloofness or surliness. Magic Johnson even recalled being brushed off by Abdul-Jabbar when he asked for an autograph as a child. Abdul-Jabbar admitted that he was "way too suspicious and I paid a price for it." He believes this reputation as a "difficult person," combined with his age, hindered his opportunities to become a head coach in the NBA or NCAA after his playing career.

Despite his reserved nature, his teammates respected him. Magic Johnson described Abdul-Jabbar as the "most beautiful athlete." He also had a playful side, occasionally swapping teammates' clothes or hiding their belongings for amusement.

8.1. Acting Career

His career in Los Angeles facilitated his ventures into acting. Abdul-Jabbar made his film debut in Bruce Lee's 1972 film Game of Death, where he played the character of Hakim. He had previously trained in Jeet Kune Do under Lee, who was his friend and mentor.

In 1980, Abdul-Jabbar gained widespread recognition for his comedic role as co-pilot Roger Murdock in the film Airplane!. In a memorable scene, a young boy recognizes him and criticizes his defensive effort, prompting Abdul-Jabbar's character to break composure and passionately defend his playing style. The scene humorously concludes with Murdock collapsing at the controls, wearing Abdul-Jabbar's signature goggles and Lakers' shorts. In 2014, Abdul-Jabbar and Airplane! co-star Robert Hays (Ted Striker) reprised their roles in a parody commercial for Wisconsin tourism.

Abdul-Jabbar has made numerous other appearances in films and television, often playing himself or roles that humorously incorporate his height and basketball persona. His film credits include Fletch, Troop Beverly Hills, Forget Paris, Slam Dunk Ernest (as the Archangel of Basketball), and a brief non-speaking cameo in BASEketball. In 2022, he made a cameo as himself in the Netflix film Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

On television, he has appeared in series such as Full House (where his height was humorously contrasted with child star Gary Coleman), Living Single, Amen, Everybody Loves Raymond, Martin, Diff'rent Strokes, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Scrubs, 21 Jump Street, Emergency!, Man from Atlantis, New Girl, The Big Bang Theory, and Billions. He played a genie in a 1984 episode of Tales from the Darkside and appeared as himself on In Living Color in 1994. He also voiced himself in a 2011 episode of The Simpsons, "Love Is a Many Strangled Thing", and had a recurring role as himself on the NBC series Guys with Kids (2012-2013). In 2021, he made a guest appearance as himself in a season 2 episode of Dave, which was also named after him. He also appeared in the music video for "Good Goodbye," a 2017 song by rock band Linkin Park.

8.2. Writing and Literary Career

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has become a successful best-selling author and cultural critic, publishing several books, primarily focusing on African-American history. His first book, the autobiography Giant Steps (1983), co-authored with Peter Knobler, was an homage to jazz great John Coltrane's album of the same name.

His other notable literary works include:

• Black Profiles in Courage: A Legacy of African-American Achievement (1996), with Alan Steinberg.
• A Season on the Reservation: My Sojourn with the White Mountain Apaches (2000), with Stephen Singular.
• Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, World War II's Forgotten Heroes (2004), with Anthony Walton, a historical account of the first Black armored unit in World War II.
• On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance (2007), with Raymond Obstfeld.
• What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African American Inventors (2012), with Raymond Obstfeld.
• The "Streetball Crew" series: Book One Sasquatch in the Paint (2013) and Book Two Stealing the Game (2015), both with Raymond Obstfeld.
• His adult fiction debut, the Victorian mystery novel Mycroft Holmes (2015), based on the brother of Sherlock Holmes, co-written with Anna Waterhouse. This was followed by two sequels: Mycroft and Sherlock (2018) and Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage (2019), also with Waterhouse.
• Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White (2016), with Raymond Obstfeld.
• Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court (2017).
• Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court (2017).

Abdul-Jabbar has also been a regular contributor to national magazines and television discussions on issues of race and religion, including a regular column for Time. In September 2018, he was announced as one of the writers for the July 2019 revival of the television series Veronica Mars. He launched his own online newsletter in 2021.

8.3. Documentaries and Other Media

Abdul-Jabbar has been involved in several documentary projects. On February 10, 2011, he debuted his film On the Shoulders of Giants, which chronicles the history of the famed New York Renaissance professional basketball team. In 2015, he was featured in Kareem: Minority of One, an HBO documentary about his life. In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar served as the executive producer and narrator for the History channel special Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his narration. He has expressed his desire to be remembered not just as a player, but as someone who used his mind and made other contributions.

Beyond traditional media, Abdul-Jabbar has participated in reality television. In 2013, he competed in the ABC reality series Splash, a celebrity diving competition. In April 2018, he competed in the all-athlete season 26 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with professional dancer Lindsay Arnold.

9.1. Social and Political Activism

Abdul-Jabbar's commitment to social justice began early in his life. In 1967, while still a college athlete, he was the only one to attend the Cleveland Summit, a pivotal meeting of prominent Black athletes who convened to support Muhammad Ali's refusal to fight in the Vietnam War. This act demonstrated his willingness to stand up for his beliefs, even at a personal cost.

He has been a regular contributor to public discourse on issues of race and religion. On January 25, 2015, he appeared on Meet the Press to discuss a column he wrote arguing that Islam should not be blamed for the actions of violent extremists, just as Christianity is not blamed for similar acts by those professing that faith. He emphasized, "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."

In November 2014, Abdul-Jabbar published an essay in Jacobin advocating for fair compensation for college athletes. He argued 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." In 2017, he condemned Donald Trump's travel ban, stating, "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." His advocacy extends to interfaith relations; in 2017, he spoke at a Ramadan event organized by the Israeli consul, emphasizing the importance of Muslim-Jewish relations and cross-cultural exchange. In June 2021, he published another essay in Jacobin criticizing those who refused the COVID-19 vaccine, including Kyrie Irving, for their negative impact on public health.

9.2. Cultural Ambassador and Government Appointments

Abdul-Jabbar's public service extends to diplomatic and advisory roles. In January 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced his appointment as a U.S. cultural ambassador. Abdul-Jabbar expressed pride in following in the footsteps of figures like Louis Armstrong, who also served as cultural representatives for the U.S. In this role, he traveled to countries like Brazil to promote education for local youths.

In 2017, former President Barack Obama appointed Abdul-Jabbar, along with Gabrielle Douglas and Carli Lloyd, to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. In January 2017, he was also appointed to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee by Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, an appointment stemming from his keen interest in coin collecting and the life of Alexander Hamilton. He resigned from this committee in 2018 due to "increasing personal obligations."

10.1. Family and Relationships

Abdul-Jabbar met Janice Brown, who later became Habiba Abdul-Jabbar, at a Lakers game during his senior year at UCLA. They married in 1971 and had three children: daughters Habiba and Sultana, and a son, Kareem Jr., who played basketball at Western Kentucky after attending Valparaiso. Abdul-Jabbar and Janice divorced in 1978. He also has another son, Amir, with Cheryl Pistono, and a son named Adam, who appeared with him on the TV sitcom Full House.

In 1983, Abdul-Jabbar's house was destroyed by fire, resulting in the loss of many personal belongings, including his cherished collection of approximately 3,000 jazz LPs. The outpouring of support from Lakers fans, who sent him albums, was a source of great comfort. In 2016, he performed a tribute to his friend Muhammad Ali alongside Chance the Rapper.

10.2. Religious Conversion and Identity

Alcindor grew up in the Catholic Church but abandoned the faith after leaving his home in New York for UCLA. At age 24 in 1971, he converted to Islam and legally adopted the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which translates to "noble one, servant of the Almighty." He was given this name by Hamaas Abdul Khaalis. Abdul-Jabbar purchased and donated a house in Washington, D.C., for Khaalis to use as the Hanafi Madh-Hab Center, which later became the site of the 1973 Hanafi Muslim massacre. Abdul-Jabbar later disagreed with some of Khaalis' teachings about the Quran and they parted ways. In 1973, he undertook a pilgrimage to Libya and Saudi Arabia to learn Arabic for self-study of the Quran, an experience that clarified his beliefs and renewed his faith. He was also significantly influenced by Malcolm X, a leader of the Nation of Islam, though Abdul-Jabbar declined an invitation to join the group.

Abdul-Jabbar has spoken openly about the significance of his name change, viewing it as a connection to his heritage, as many enslaved Africans brought to America were Muslims. He learned that his family's ancestors, the Yoruba people, were brought to America from Trinidad in the 18th century by a French planter named Alcindor, and their culture survived slavery. He stated that this knowledge gave him a sense of identity and worth. However, his name change also contributed to a decline in his public image, particularly in predominantly white areas of the United States.

In 1998, Abdul-Jabbar reached a settlement in a lawsuit against NFL running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar (born Sharmon Shah), who had adopted the name and wore jersey number 33, which Abdul-Jabbar felt was profiting from his fame. As a result, the football player had to change his jersey nameplate to "Abdul" while playing for the Dolphins.

10.3. Health Issues

Abdul-Jabbar has faced several significant health challenges throughout his life. He suffers from chronic migraines, and his use of cannabis to manage symptoms has led to legal issues.

In November 2009, he announced that he had been diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of blood and bone marrow cancer, in December 2008. He stated that his condition could be managed through daily oral medication, regular specialist visits, and blood tests, and expressed confidence that it would not prevent him from leading a normal life. He became a spokesperson for Novartis, the company that produces his cancer medication, Gleevec. In February 2011, he clarified that while his leukemia was at an "absolute minimum," he was not "100% cancer free," as cancer patients are never truly free of the disease.

In April 2015, Abdul-Jabbar was hospitalized and diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Later that week, on his 68th birthday, he underwent quadruple coronary bypass surgery at the UCLA Medical Center.

In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer eleven years prior. In February 2023, he publicly discussed his atrial fibrillation diagnosis and partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer's "No Time to Wait" campaign to raise awareness of the condition, which increases the risk of stroke. In December 2023, he was hospitalized after falling and breaking his hip while attending a concert, requiring artificial hip surgery.

11.1. Athletic Honors and Awards

Abdul-Jabbar's career is adorned with an unparalleled collection of athletic honors and awards:

• He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on May 15, 1995, and the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 1990.
  • College Accolades:** He was a two-time Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year (1967, 1969), a two-time Oscar Robertson Trophy winner (1967, 1968), and a two-time UPI College Basketball Player of the Year (1967, 1969). He was a three-time Consensus first-team All-American (1967-1969) and led UCLA to three consecutive NCAA championships (1967-1969), earning NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors all three times. In 1969, he became the first-ever Naismith College Player of the Year. He was also a three-time First-team All-Pac-8 selection (1967-1969) and was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. His college jersey number 33 is retired by UCLA Bruins.
  • NBA Accolades:** He was the Rookie of the Year in 1970. He won six NBA championships (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) and was twice named NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985). Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for most NBA MVP awards with six (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980), and also won six Sporting News NBA MVP awards. He was a 19-time NBA All-Star selection (1970-1977, 1979-1989), a 15-time All-NBA Team member (10× First team, 5× Second team), and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection (5× First team, 6× Second team). He was a two-time NBA scoring champion (1971, 1972), a one-time NBA rebounding champion (1976), and a four-time NBA blocks champion (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980).
  • Anniversary Teams:** He was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team, 50th Greatest Players in NBA History, and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
• His jersey number 33 has been retired by both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
• On November 16, 2012, a statue of Abdul-Jabbar was unveiled in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles.

11.2. Impact on Basketball

Abdul-Jabbar's influence on basketball is profound. His 38,387 career points stood as the NBA's career scoring record for nearly 39 years until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023. His signature "skyhook" shot is widely considered one of the most unstoppable moves in basketball history. He combined unparalleled dominance during his career peak with remarkable longevity and sustained excellence in his later years. A pioneer in the NBA for his use of yoga, he also credited Bruce Lee with teaching him "the discipline and spirituality of martial arts," which he believed was crucial for his 20-year career with few injuries. He played in 95 percent of his team's regular-season games, including 80 or more games in 11 of his 20 seasons, and played all 82 games five times. Even after winning his sixth and final MVP award in 1980, he continued to average over 20 points per game for the next six seasons, including 23 points per game in his 17th season at age 38. He achieved first-team All-NBA selections 15 years apart and Finals MVPs 14 seasons apart, demonstrating his sustained elite performance.

Abdul-Jabbar is widely regarded as one of the most graceful basketball players ever, one of the best centers, and one of the greatest players in NBA history. ESPN named him the greatest center of all time in 2007, ahead of Wilt Chamberlain, and in 2020, ranked him No. 3 among the top 74 NBA players of all time, placing him as the best center ahead of Bill Russell and Chamberlain. Many league experts and basketball legends have called him the greatest player of all time. Pat Riley stated 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." In 2023, Riley reiterated his view, calling Abdul-Jabbar "the greatest player in the history of the game, who had the greatest weapon in the history of the game. The skyhook was unstoppable." Isiah Thomas remarked, "If they say the numbers don't lie, then Kareem is the greatest ever to play the game." Julius Erving added in 2013, "In terms of players all-time, Kareem is still the number one guy. He's the guy you gotta start your franchise with."

In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar's only recognized rookie card became the most expensive basketball card ever sold at auction, fetching 501.90 K USD. In 2022, he was ranked No. 3 (and first in his position) on ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list, and No. 3 (behind Jordan and James) on a similar list by The Athletic. He was also the first NBA player to sign a sneaker endorsement deal with Adidas in 1978, and the first to have a signature shoe. His jersey number 33, retired by both the Bucks and Lakers, became an iconic "ace number" in basketball, inspiring many future stars like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson (who wore 33 in college before choosing 32 with the Lakers).

11.3. Non-Athletic Honors and Recognition

Beyond the court, Abdul-Jabbar has received significant recognition for his intellectual pursuits and public service:

• In 2011, he was awarded the Double Helix Medal for his efforts in raising awareness for cancer research.
• Also in 2011, he received an honorary degree from New York Institute of Technology.
• In 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
• In 2020, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for his narration work on the documentary special Black Patriots: Heroes of The Revolution.

12.1. Regular Season Statistics

12.2. Playoff Statistics

13.1. Books

• Giant Steps, with Peter Knobler (1983) ISBN 0-553-05044-3
• 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 (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 (2017) ISBN 978-1785853005
• Mycroft and Sherlock with Anna Waterhouse (2018) ISBN 978-1785659256
• Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage with Anna Waterhouse (2019) ISBN 978-1785659300

13.2. Audio book

• On the Shoulders of Giants: An Audio Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance 8-CD Set Vol. 1-4, featuring 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 notable musicians, actors, and performers. (2008)