Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formerly known as Lewis Alcindor, was the kind of player that graces a sport once in a lifetime. The basketball world might never again see an athlete dominate the sport for as long and as thoroughly as Abdul-Jabbar did. From the time he stepped on the court at Power Memorial High School in his native New York City, to the time he retired as the NBA's all-time leader in nine statistical categories, the 7-foot-2 Abdul-Jabbar established himself as basketball's most talented and recognizable figure.
After earning three All-America selections at Power Memorial High School, where he guided the team to a 95-6 record, Abdul-Jabbar became part of one of the greatest teams in the history of college basketball. Under Hall of Fame coach John Wooden, Abdul-Jabbar guided the UCLA Bruins to a three-year mark of 88-2, three consecutive NCAA titles (1967-69) and was the first and only player to be named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player three times. The three-time college All-America simply ruled the game at the college level, earning the title of College Player of the Year from 1967 to 1969 from The Sporting News, United Press International, The Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Upon the time of his graduation, Abdul-Jabbar was the Bruins' all-time leading scorer with 2,325 points.
In only his first of a stellar 20-year career, one that saw Abdul-Jabbar play no less than 65 games a season, the smooth and competitive seven-footer was named NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 28.8 ppg and 14.5 rebounds for the Milwaukee Bucks. Abdul-Jabbar became an instant force in the league, bringing finesse and agility to the center position, which had previously seen brute force and strength as the rule. With superior physical fitness and skill, Abdul-Jabbar joined with the "Big O," Oscar Robertson, to capture Milwaukee's only NBA title in 1971. Abdul-Jabbar averaged 30 or more points in four of his six years with the Bucks and was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1971, 1972 and 1974.
Prior to the 1975-76 season, Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where his patented skyhook helped him and the Lakers earn a staggering five NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988). He picked up another three NBA MVP awards (1976, 1977 and 1980), a record six in total, was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year in 1985. Upon his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar stood on top of the heap in nine NBA statistical categories, including points scored (38,387), seasons played (20), playoff scoring (5,762), MVP awards (6), minutes played (57,446), games played (1,560), field goals made and attempted (15,837 of 28,307) and blocked shots (3,189).
