Born in New York City on April 16, 1947, under the name of Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most recognized figures in professional basketball history. The 7'2" giant began as a center at UCLA (from 1965 to 1969), then went on to a six year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks (1969-75), followed by fourteen years with the Los Angeles Lakers (until 1989). Jabbar was famous for his "skyhook" shot, which was known for being extremely difficult to defend. Averaging over 24 points and 10 rebounds per game throughout his career, he maintained an excellent game well into his thirties and was elected to the All-Star team even in his final season (having played for twenty seasons and setting the record at the time). After his retirement in 1989, he went on to become a successful basketball coach, author, and part-time actor. The time of Jabbar's entry into the world of professional basketball could have been better. Center Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics had just left the sport, and although Wilt Chamberlain was still an important figure in the game, he was rounding the corner toward his 35th birthday. His first season with the Bucks (1969-70), the team placed second in the Eastern Division with a 56-26 record, making Jabbar an immediate star, earning him the title of Rookie of the Year. |
