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 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 (six as player, two as assistant coach) and a record six MVP awards. A 19-time All-Star, Abdul-Jabbar was renowned for his signature skyhook shot. He also played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. A Hall of Fame inductee, he held the NBA's all-time scoring record from 1984 until 2023. He was also a 15-time All-NBA Team member and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection.

Sections (6)

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

April 16, 1947: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Born

On April 16, 1947, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was born. He is an American former professional basketball player who played for 20 seasons in the NBA.

Others born on this day/year

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.

1964: Inspired by Harlem Riot

In 1964, the Harlem riot, triggered by the shooting of James Powell, sparked Alcindor's interest in racial politics, leading him to identify with Black Power.

November 27, 1965: First Public Performance at Pauley Pavilion

On November 27, 1965, Alcindor made his first public performance in UCLA's annual varsity–freshman exhibition game at the Pauley Pavilion. Alcindor scored 31 points and had 21 rebounds leading the freshman team to a 75-60 victory.

1966: Varsity Debut and National Coverage

In 1966, Alcindor made his varsity debut, receiving national coverage. He scored 56 points in his first game, breaking the UCLA single-game record. The team had an undefeated 30-0 record.

1967: Attendance at the Cleveland Summit

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

1967: National Player of the Year and NCAA Champion

In 1967, Alcindor was named national player of the year and played on an NCAA basketball champion team.

January 12, 1968: Scratched Cornea Injury

On January 12, 1968, during a game against California (UC Berkeley), Alcindor suffered a scratched left cornea when struck by Tom Henderson in a rebound battle.

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.

1968: NCAA Basketball Champion

In 1968, Alcindor played on an NCAA basketball champion team.

1969: Graduation and Martial Arts Practice

In 1969, Alcindor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history. He also practiced martial arts, studying aikido and Jeet Kune Do.

1969: National Player of the Year, NCAA Champion and Naismith College Player of the Year

In 1969, Alcindor was named national player of the year, played on an NCAA basketball champion team and he became the first-ever Naismith College Player of the Year.

June 3, 1971: Name Change Announcement

On June 3, 1971, at a State Department press conference, Alcindor announced his decision to be known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a Muslim name that translates to "noble one, servant of the Almighty".

1971: Conversion to Islam and Legal Name Change

At age 24 in 1971, Alcindor converted to Islam and legally changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, meaning 'noble one, servant of the Almighty', named by Hamaas Abdul Khaalis.

1971: Marriage to Habiba Abdul-Jabbar

In 1971, Abdul-Jabbar married Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (born Janice Brown) after meeting her at a Lakers game. Together, they had three children.

1971: Public Use of Name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

In 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began publicly using his adopted Arabic name after converting to Sunni Islam in 1968.

1971: NBA Championship and Name Change

In 1971, at age 24, Alcindor led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship. Following this triumph, he adopted the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

1972: Appeared in Bruce Lee's Game of Death

In 1972, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared in Bruce Lee's film "Game of Death".

Loading Video...

1972: Freshman Ineligibility Rule

Until 1972, freshman were ineligible to play varsity basketball.

1973: Pilgrimage to Libya and Saudi Arabia

In 1973, Abdul-Jabbar embarked on a pilgrimage to Libya and Saudi Arabia to learn Arabic for self-study of the Quran, renewing his faith.

1974: First Goggle Use

In 1974, Abdul-Jabbar began wearing his trademark goggles after getting poked in the eye during a preseason game.

1976: Abdul-Jabbar Starts Practicing Yoga

In 1976, while playing in Los Angeles, Abdul-Jabbar began practicing yoga to improve his flexibility, contributing to his physical fitness and longevity in the NBA.

1976: Dunking Rule Rescinded

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

1978: Divorce from Janice Brown

In 1978, Abdul-Jabbar and Janice Brown divorced.

1979: Brief Abandonment of Goggles

In 1979, Abdul-Jabbar briefly stopped wearing goggles during the playoffs.

1979: Weight Gain and Exercise Changes

Prior to the 1979–80 season, Abdul-Jabbar gained 10 pounds (4.5 kg) after switching from free weights to Nautilus equipment and changed his exercise from tai chi to yoga.

October 1980: Resumption of Goggle Use

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

1983: House Fire

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

December 1986: Eye Condition Forces Abdul-Jabbar to Miss Games

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

1986: Abdul-Jabbar Bulks Up

In 1986, Abdul-Jabbar increased his weight to 270 lb (120 kg) to try to guard under the basket more effectively.

1998: Settlement in Name Lawsuit

In 1998, Abdul-Jabbar reached a settlement after suing Miami Dolphins running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar for profiting off his famous name. The football player was required to change his jersey nameplate to 'Abdul'.

December 2008: Diagnosis of Leukemia

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 Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, diagnosed in December 2008. He became a spokesman for Novartis, the producer of his medication, Gleevec.

February 2011: Initial Announcement of Being 'Cancer-Free'

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

January 2012: Appointment as U.S. Cultural Ambassador

In January 2012, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Abdul-Jabbar had accepted a position as a cultural ambassador for the United States. He traveled to Brazil to promote education for local youths.

2012: Appointed 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.

2013: Participation in 'Splash' Reality Series

In 2013, Abdul-Jabbar participated in the ABC reality series 'Splash', a celebrity diving competition.

Loading Video...

November 2014: Essay in Jacobin on College Athlete Compensation

In November 2014, Abdul-Jabbar published an essay in Jacobin advocating for just compensation for college athletes, arguing against the 'indentured servitude' of college athletes.

January 25, 2015: Appearance on 'Meet the Press'

On January 25, 2015, Abdul-Jabbar appeared on 'Meet the Press' to discuss his column about Islam and its portrayal in the media, addressing concerns about the actions of violent extremists claiming to be Muslim.

Loading Video...

April 2015: Hospitalization and Quadruple Coronary Bypass Surgery

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

2016: Tribute to Muhammad Ali with Chance the Rapper

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

January 2017: Appointment to Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

In January 2017, Abdul-Jabbar was appointed to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee by the United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin due to his interest in coin collecting and the life of Alexander Hamilton.

2017: Condemnation of Donald Trump's Travel Ban

In 2017, Abdul-Jabbar condemned Donald Trump's travel ban, criticizing the 'absence of reason and compassion'.

2017: Speech at Israeli Consulate Ramadan Event

In 2017, Abdul-Jabbar spoke at a Ramadan event organized by the Israeli consul in Los Angeles, stressing the importance of Muslim-Jewish relations and cross-cultural exchange.

April 2018: Competition in 'Dancing with the Stars'

In April 2018, Abdul-Jabbar competed in season 26 of 'Dancing with the Stars', partnered with professional dancer Lindsay Arnold.

Loading Video...

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: Speaking out about Atrial Fibrillation

In February 2023, Abdul-Jabbar spoke out about his atrial fibrillation diagnosis. He partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer's "No Time to Wait" to raise awareness of the symptoms of the irregular and rapid heart rhythm condition which increase the risk of stroke.