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, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, is an American former professional basketball player renowned for his 20 seasons in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, and his prior success at UCLA. He holds a record six NBA MVP awards and was a 19-time NBA All-Star. Abdul-Jabbar earned 15 All-NBA Team selections and 11 NBA All-Defensive Team selections. A six-time NBA champion as a player and two-time champion as an assistant coach, he also earned two NBA Finals MVP awards. Recognized as one of basketball's all-time greats, Abdul-Jabbar held the NBA's career scoring record from 1984 until 2023.
April 16, 1947: Birth of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
On April 16, 1947, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, originally named Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., was born in New York.
1950: Moved to Dyckman Street Projects
In 1950, at the age of 3, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. moved with his family to the Dyckman Street projects in the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan.
1957: Release of Zero Hour!
In 1957, the drama Zero Hour! was released, which served as the main source of inspiration for the 1980 film Airplane!, in which Abdul-Jabbar starred.
1964: Inspired by the Harlem Riot
In 1964, the Harlem riot, triggered by the fatal shooting of James Powell, sparked Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's interest in racial politics. At the time, he stated that he knew he had to personify "black rage" and "Black Power".
November 27, 1965: First Public Performance
On November 27, 1965, Alcindor made his first public performance in UCLA's annual varsity–freshman exhibition game at the Bruins' new Pauley Pavilion. Alcindor scored 31 points and 21 rebounds, leading the freshman team to a 75-60 victory over the varsity team.
1966: Varsity Debut and National Coverage
In 1966, Alcindor made his varsity debut as a sophomore, receiving national coverage. He scored 56 points in his first game, which remains an NCAA record for a player in their debut.
1967: Attended Cleveland Summit
In 1967, Abdul-Jabbar, as a college athlete, attended the Cleveland Summit, a meeting of prominent black athletes supporting Muhammad Ali's refusal to fight in the Vietnam War.
1968: Conversion to Islam and Olympic Boycott
During the summer of 1968, Alcindor converted to Sunni Islam and boycotted the 1968 Summer Olympics to protest the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States.
1969: Graduation from UCLA
In 1969, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar completed his studies and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history from UCLA. During his free time, he practiced martial arts.
1969: NBA Draft and Choice of Milwaukee Bucks
In 1969, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was picked first overall in the NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, declining an offer from the Globetrotters and despite interest from the New York Nets. He accepted the Bucks' offer of $1.4 million.
1969: Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks
In 1969, Lew Alcindor was drafted first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft. He began his professional career with the team after a successful college basketball career.
June 3, 1971: Name Change Announcement
On June 3, 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Alcindor, announced at a State Department press conference that he wished to be called by his Muslim name, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which roughly translates to "noble one, servant of the Almighty [i.e., servant of God]".
1971: Married Habiba Abdul-Jabbar
In 1971, Abdul-Jabbar married Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (born Janice Brown), whom he met at a Lakers game during his senior year at UCLA. They had three children together.
1971: NBA Championship with the Bucks and Name Change
In 1971, Alcindor led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship at the age of 24. Following this victory, he adopted the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
1971: Public Use of Name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
In 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began using his adopted Arabic name publicly, having converted to Sunni Islam in 1968.
1971: Conversion to Islam
In 1971, at age 24, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar converted to Islam and legally changed his name from Alcindor. He was named by Hamaas Abdul Khaalis of the Hanafi Movement.
1973: Pilgrimage to Libya and Saudi Arabia
In 1973, Abdul-Jabbar embarked on a pilgrimage to Libya and Saudi Arabia to study Arabic and deepen his understanding of the Quran, leading to a renewed faith.
September 1974: Robertson's Retirement
In September 1974, Oscar Robertson retired as a free agent after failing to agree on a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
1974: Began Wearing Goggles
In 1974, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles after getting poked in the eye during a preseason game.
March 13, 1975: Trade Request Publicized
On March 13, 1975, it was reported that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had requested a trade to either the New York Knicks or the Los Angeles Lakers.
1975: Trade to the Lakers
In 1975, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley were traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Los Angeles Lakers.
1975: Hand Injury
In 1975, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke his right hand after punching the backboard support.
1975: Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1975, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He played the final 14 seasons of his career with the team.
1976: Started Doing Yoga
In 1976, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar started doing yoga to improve his flexibility, which contributed to his physical fitness and longevity in the NBA.
1976: Acquisition of Draft Pick
In 1976, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the pick from the New Orleans Jazz that would later allow them to draft Magic Johnson in 1979.
1977: Hand Injury
In 1977, during the opening game of the 1977-78 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke his right hand after punching Milwaukee's Kent Benson.
1978: Divorced Janice Brown
In 1978, Abdul-Jabbar and Janice Brown divorced.
1979: Stopped Wearing Goggles
In 1979, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stopped wearing his trademark goggles during the playoffs.
1979: Lakers Draft Magic Johnson
In 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic Johnson with the first overall pick of the NBA draft.
1979: Weight Gain and Changed Routine
Prior to the 1979-80 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) after switching from free weights to Nautilus equipment. He also switched that offseason from tai chi to yoga.
October 1980: Resumed Wearing Goggles
In October 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar resumed wearing goggles after being accidentally poked in the right eye by Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich.
1980: Role in Airplane!
In 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played co-pilot Roger Murdock in Airplane!, a spoof of the 1957 drama Zero Hour! where he snapped at a kid.
1981: Responded to criticism about hustling
In 1981, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar responded to criticism that he did not hustle, explaining that he had to conserve energy to play 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. He found support from Lakers fans who sent him albums.
1984: Played 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.
December 1986: Missed Games Due to Corneal Erosion Syndrome
In December 1986, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar missed three games due to corneal erosion syndrome, a result of years of being jabbed in the eyes.
1986: Increased Weight
In 1986, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar bulked up to 270 lb (120 kg) to better guard under the basket, utilizing a bigger frame in his later years.
February 10, 1994: Appeared on In Living Color
On February 10, 1994, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played himself on the sketch comedy television series In Living Color.
1994: Co-Executive Producer of The Vernon Johns Story
In 1994, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the co-executive producer of the TV film The Vernon Johns Story.
1995: Interest in Coaching
In 1995, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began expressing an interest in coaching and imparting his basketball knowledge, but his opportunities were limited due to a reputation for being introverted and unfriendly with the media.
1998: Settlement in Name Lawsuit
In 1998, Abdul-Jabbar reached a settlement in a lawsuit against Miami Dolphins running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar, who changed his jersey nameplate to "Abdul" due to the famous moniker.
2006: Appeared on The Colbert Report
In 2006, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared on The Colbert Report in a skit called "HipHopKetball II: The ReJazzebration Remix '06".
December 2008: Leukemia Diagnosis
In December 2008, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
2008: Stage Manager Role
In 2008, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared on television as a stage manager who is sent out on a mission to find Nazi gold.
November 2009: Announcement of Leukemia Diagnosis
In November 2009, Abdul-Jabbar announced he was suffering from Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, diagnosed in December 2008, but believed it could be managed with medication. He became a spokesman for Novartis, the producer of Gleevec.
February 2011: Announced Leukemia 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: Voiced Himself on The Simpsons
In 2011, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar voiced himself in an episode of The Simpsons titled "Love Is a Many Strangled Thing".
2012: Recurring role on Guys with Kids
From 2012 to 2013, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a recurring role as himself on the NBC series Guys with Kids.
2012: Selected as a U.S. Global Cultural Ambassador
In 2012, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was selected by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to serve as a U.S. global cultural ambassador, recognizing his influence beyond basketball.
2013: Recurring role on Guys with Kids
From 2012 to 2013, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a recurring role as himself on the NBC series Guys with Kids.
2013: Participation in Splash
In 2013, Abdul-Jabbar participated in the ABC reality series Splash, which was a celebrity diving competition.
November 2014: Published Essay on College Athlete Compensation
In November 2014, Abdul-Jabbar published an essay in Jacobin arguing for fair compensation for college athletes, advocating for an end to the 'indentured servitude' of college athletes.
2014: Airplane! Roles Reprised in Commercial
In 2014, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Airplane! co-star Robert Hays reprised their Airplane! 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 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.
January 25, 2015: Appearance on Meet the Press
On January 25, 2015, Abdul-Jabbar appeared on Meet the Press to discuss a column he wrote about Islam and violent extremism, advocating that Islam should not be blamed for the actions of violent extremists.
April 2015: Hospitalized and Underwent Heart Surgery
In April 2015, Abdul-Jabbar was hospitalized and diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, subsequently undergoing quadruple coronary bypass surgery at UCLA Medical Center on his 68th birthday.
2015: Appearance in "Kareem: Minority of One"
In 2015, Abdul-Jabbar appeared in "Kareem: Minority of One", an HBO documentary about his life.
2016: Performed Tribute to Muhammad Ali
In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar performed a tribute to his friend Muhammad Ali along with Chance the Rapper.
January 2017: Appointed to Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee
In January 2017, Abdul-Jabbar was appointed to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee by United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin due to his interest in coin collecting.
2017: Condemned Donald Trump's Travel Ban
In 2017, Abdul-Jabbar commented on Donald Trump's travel ban, condemning it as a rejection of sacred values and "pure evil" due to its absence of reason and compassion.
2017: Spoke at Ramadan Event
In 2017, Abdul-Jabbar spoke at an event marking Ramadan organized by the Israeli consul in Los Angeles, emphasizing the importance of Muslim-Jewish relations and cross-cultural exchange.
2017: Appeared in "Good Goodbye" Music Video
In 2017, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared in the music video for "Good Goodbye" by Linkin Park, where he played a warlord or emperor.
April 2018: Competed in Dancing with the Stars
In April 2018, Abdul-Jabbar competed in season 26 of Dancing with the Stars, partnering with Lindsay Arnold.
2018: Resigned from Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee
In 2018, Abdul-Jabbar resigned from the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee due to increasing personal obligations.
February 2019: Appearance on The Big Bang Theory
In February 2019, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared in season 12 episode 16 of The Big Bang Theory, titled "The D&D Vortex".
2020: Revealed Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer eleven years earlier.
June 2021: Published Essay on COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal
In June 2021, Abdul-Jabbar published an essay in Jacobin criticizing the negative impact on public health of those refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly singling out Kyrie Irving.
2021: Guest appearance on Dave
In 2021, Abdul-Jabbar made a guest appearance as himself in a season 2 episode of Dave. The episode was named after him.
2022: Cameo in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
In 2022, Abdul-Jabbar made a cameo appearance as himself in the Netflix film Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
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" to raise awareness of the symptoms.
December 2023: Hospitalized After Hip Fracture
In December 2023, Abdul-Jabbar was hospitalized after falling and breaking his hip while attending a concert.
2023: Appearance on Billions
In 2023, Abdul-Jabbar appeared as himself in season 7, episode 3 of the Showtime series Billions.
2025: Named Harvard College Class Day Speaker
In 2025, Abdul-Jabbar was named Harvard College Class Day speaker after receiving an honorary degree from the same.
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