Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., is an iconic figure in both basketball and cultural spheres.
Born on April 16, 1947, in New York, New York, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest centers in NBA history.
After retiring from basketball in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar turned his attention to acting, writing, and social justice causes.
He has appeared in various TV shows and movies, including Airplane! and Veronica Mars.
Abdul-Jabbar has authored multiple books, including memoirs like Giant Steps, historical works like Black Profiles in Courage, and fiction like the Mystery series featuring Sherlock Holmes’s older brother, Mycroft.
Additionally, he served as a global cultural ambassador for the United States and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
Age, height and weight
Abdul-Jabbar is currently 76 years old, born on April 16, 1947, in New York, NY, USA.
During his basketball career, he stood at 7 feet 2 inches (218 cm) and weighed approximately 225 pounds (102 kg).
Ethnicity, nationality and religion
Abdul-Jabbar is of African American descent and an American national.
He converted to Islam in 1968 and has been a practicing Muslim ever since, adopting the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which means “the noble one, servant of the Almighty”.
His conversion to Islam and his name change were significant personal and cultural milestones, shaping his identity and public perception as a prominent figure in American sports and society.
Parents and siblings
Abdul-Jabbar was born to Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr. and Cora Lillian.
His father was a transit police officer and jazz musician, originally from Trinidad, and his mother was a department store price checker, born in North Carolina as part of the Great Migration.
There are no details about his siblings.
Wife and children
Abdul-Jabbar was married to Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (née Janice Brown) from 1971 to 1978.
With her, he had three children, daughters Habiba and Sultana, and son Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jr.
Following his divorce from Habiba, Abdul-Jabbar had two additional children.
One son, Amir, was born with Cheryl Pistono during their relationship between 1977 and 1984.
Another child, Adam, was born with Julye Olds, although details regarding their relationship are limited.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar career
Abdul-Jabbar became one of the most celebrated athletes in basketball history.
As a 7-foot-2-inch center, he dominated the sport throughout the 1970s and early ’80s.
Before converting to Islam in 1968, Alcindor excelled at Power Memorial Academy in New York City, where he led the team to three consecutive city titles.
He then starred at UCLA, helping the team win three consecutive NCAA championships before joining the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks in 1969.
In 1970, Abdul-Jabbar won his first NBA championship with the Bucks and was named Rookie of the Year.
He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975, where he won six NBA championships and earned six NBA Most Valuable Player awards.
Throughout his career, Abdul-Jabbar broke numerous records, including most points scored, most field goals made, and most minutes played.
He also held the record for most blocked shots until it was surpassed by Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo.
Abdul-Jabbar’s unique playing style featured an unstoppable skyhook shot, making him a formidable opponent despite lacking the physical strength of other centers like Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell.
He was also an exceptional passer and defender, contributing to his success on the court.
Net worth
Abdul-Jabbar’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million as of 2023.
Despite being one of the greatest players in NBA history, his earnings were during an era when player salaries were not as substantial as they are today.
However, he has supplemented his income through various endeavors, including acting, writing and producing.
His legacy extends beyond basketball, as he has been an advocate for social justice issues throughout his life.