Childhood and Education Journey of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player widely considered one of the greatest of all time. He played 20 seasons in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, winning six NBA championships and a record six MVP awards. A 19-time All-Star, Abdul-Jabbar was known for his dominant play as a center, particularly his signature skyhook shot. He also played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Abdul-Jabbar held the NBA's career scoring record from 1984 until LeBron James broke it in 2023. He also contributed as an assistant coach after his playing career ended.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

April 16, 1947: Birth of Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.

On April 16, 1947, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was born in New York City.

Others born on this day/year

1950: Moved to Dyckman Street projects

In 1950, at the age of 3, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. moved to the Dyckman Street projects in the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan.

1964: Inspired by Harlem Riot of 1964

In 1964, the Harlem riot, triggered by the shooting of James Powell, sparked Alcindor's interest in racial politics.

1967: Attendance at Cleveland Summit

In 1967, Abdul-Jabbar, as the only college athlete, attended the Cleveland Summit, a meeting of prominent black athletes supporting Muhammad Ali's refusal to fight in the Vietnam War.

January 12, 1968: Scratched cornea

On January 12, 1968, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, suffered a scratched left cornea in a game against California (UC Berkeley).

1968: Converted to Sunni Islam

During the summer of 1968, Alcindor converted to Sunni Islam and took the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He also boycotted the 1968 Summer Olympics in protest of the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States.

1969: Graduated with a BA in history

In 1969, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, completed his studies at UCLA and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history.

June 3, 1971: Name Change Announcement

On June 3, 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, during a press conference at the State Department, announced that he wanted to be called by his Muslim name, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which translates to "noble one, servant of the Almighty".

1971: Conversion to Islam

At age 24 in 1971, Alcindor converted to Islam and legally became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

1971: Marriage to Habiba Abdul-Jabbar

In 1971, Abdul-Jabbar married Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (born Janice Brown), and they had three children together.

1971: Public use of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar name

In 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began using his adopted Arabic name publicly.

1971: Changed name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

In 1971, after leading the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship, Lew Alcindor took the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

1972: Freshmen eligible to play varsity

In 1972 freshmen became eligible to play varsity.

1973: Pilgrimage to Libya and Saudi Arabia

In 1973, Abdul-Jabbar embarked on a pilgrimage to Libya and Saudi Arabia to study the Quran and renew his faith.

1974: Began wearing trademark goggles

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles in 1974 after getting poked in the eye during preseason.

1976: Started doing Yoga

In 1976, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar started doing yoga in Los Angeles to improve his flexibility, contributing to his longevity as a player.

1976: Dunk ban rescinded

In the 1976-77 season, the ban on dunking in college basketball, also known as the "Alcindor Rule," was rescinded.

1978: Divorce from Janice Brown

In 1978, Abdul-Jabbar and Janice Brown divorced.

1979: Abandoned wearing goggles

In 1979, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar abandoned wearing his trademark goggles during the playoffs.

1979: Gained weight and switched from Tai Chi to Yoga

Prior to the 1979-80 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) from 240 to 250 pounds (110 kg) after switching from free weights to Nautilus equipment, and he also switched that offseason from tai chi to yoga.

October 1980: Resumed Wearing Goggles After Eye Poke

In October 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar resumed wearing his trademark goggles after being accidentally poked in the right eye by Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich.

1980: Played co-pilot Roger Murdock in Airplane!

In 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played the role of co-pilot Roger Murdock in the movie Airplane!, where he had a memorable scene with a little boy who recognized him despite his character's denial.

Loading Video...

1981: Response to criticism about not hustling

In 1981, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar responded to criticism that he did not hustle, explaining that he needed to conserve energy due to playing 42 to 45 minutes a night.

1983: House Fire

In 1983, Abdul-Jabbar's house burned down, destroying many of his belongings including his jazz LP collection. Lakers fans sent him albums, which he found uplifting.

1984: Played a genie in Tales from the Darkside

In 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played a genie in a lamp in an episode of Tales from the Darkside.

Loading Video...

December 1986: Missed Games Due to Corneal Erosion Syndrome

In December 1986, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar missed three games due to corneal erosion syndrome, a condition he developed after years of being jabbed in the eyes.

1986: Weight Increase

In 1986, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar bulked up to 270 lb (120 kg).

February 10, 1994: Played himself on In Living Color

On February 10, 1994, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played himself on an episode of the sketch comedy television series In Living Color.

Loading Video...

1995: Expressing interest in coaching

In 1995, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began expressing an interest in coaching and imparting knowledge from his playing days, though his opportunities were limited due to his reputation for being introverted and unfriendly with the media.

1998: Settlement in Lawsuit

In 1998, Abdul-Jabbar reached a settlement after suing Miami Dolphins running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar (now Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar), who agreed to change his jersey nameplate to "Abdul".

1998: Volunteer Coach at Alchesay High School

In 1998, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar served as a volunteer coach at Alchesay High School on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona.

2002: Head Coach of Oklahoma Storm

In 2002, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar served as the head coach of the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League, leading the team to the league's championship that season.

2005: Returns to Lakers as special assistant coach

In 2005, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar returned to the Los Angeles Lakers as a special assistant coach to Phil Jackson for six seasons, mentoring their young center, Andrew Bynum.

December 2008: Leukemia Diagnosis

In December 2008, Abdul-Jabbar was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

November 2009: Announcement of Leukemia Diagnosis

In November 2009, Abdul-Jabbar announced that he was suffering from leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, which had been diagnosed in December 2008.

February 2011: Announcement of Remission

In February 2011, Abdul-Jabbar announced via Twitter that his leukemia was gone, later clarifying that his cancer was at an absolute minimum.

2011: End of special assistant coach role with Lakers

In 2011, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's six-season tenure as a special assistant coach to Phil Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers concluded.

2013: Moves on from coaching

In 2013, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar moved on from coaching after unsuccessfully lobbying for open head coach positions with UCLA and the Milwaukee Bucks.

2014: Reprised Airplane! role in parody commercial

In 2014, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Airplane! co-star Robert Hays reprised their roles in a parody commercial promoting Wisconsin tourism.

2014: UCLA Bruins wore "The Blueprint" Crazy 8

In 2014, the UCLA Bruins wore "The Blueprint" Crazy 8 Adidas shoes against Colorado on Feb. 13, and the shoes were sold online and at an Adidas store in New Orleans—during NBA All-Star weekend—starting on Feb. 14.

Adidas Crazy 8 Shoes

Check it on Amazon

April 2015: Hospitalization and Heart Surgery

In April 2015, Abdul-Jabbar was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and underwent quadruple coronary bypass surgery at the UCLA Medical Center on his 68th birthday.

2015: Appearance in HBO Documentary

In 2015, Abdul-Jabbar appeared in Kareem: Minority of One, an HBO documentary about his life.

Loading Video...

2016: Tribute to Muhammad Ali

In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar performed a tribute to his friend Muhammad Ali along with Chance the Rapper.

2017: Spoke at Ramadan Event

In 2017, Abdul-Jabbar spoke at an event marking Ramadan organized by the Israeli consul in Los Angeles, emphasizing Muslim-Jewish relations.

2018: Resignation from Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

In 2018, Abdul-Jabbar resigned from the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee due to "increasing personal obligations".

2020: Revelation of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer eleven years earlier.

February 2023: Spoke out about Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis

In February 2023, Abdul-Jabbar spoke out about his atrial fibrillation diagnosis and partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer's "No Time to Wait" campaign.