History of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Timeline

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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.

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.

1957: Inspiration for Airplane!

In 1957, the drama Zero Hour! was released. The movie served as the inspiration for Airplane!.

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: Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks

In 1969, Alcindor was drafted first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft. He spent six seasons with the team.

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.

1969: NBA and ABA Draft Choices

In 1969, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Alcindor) was drafted first overall in the NBA by the Milwaukee Bucks and also chosen first overall in the ABA draft by the New York Nets, ultimately choosing the Bucks.

February 21, 1970: Scored 51 points against SuperSonics

On February 21, 1970, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 51 points in a 140-127 win over the SuperSonics.

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: Film Debut in Game of Death

In 1972, Abdul-Jabbar made his film debut in Bruce Lee's movie, Game of Death.

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1972: Appeared in Bruce Lee's Game of Death

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

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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.

September 1974: Robertson's Retirement

In September 1974, Oscar Robertson retired after failing to reach a contract agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming a free agent in the off season.

1974: First Goggle Use

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

1974: Blocks Statistic Recorded

In 1974, blocks became an officially recorded statistic in the NBA, marking the fourth year of Abdul-Jabbar's career.

March 13, 1975: Abdul-Jabbar Requests Trade

On March 13, 1975, sportscaster Marv Albert reported that Abdul-Jabbar had requested a trade to either New York or Los Angeles, preferably to the Knicks.

1975: Traded to the Lakers

In 1975, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played the final 14 seasons of his NBA career and won five NBA championships.

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.

1977: Hand Injury

In 1977, during the opening game of the season, Abdul-Jabbar broke his right hand after punching Milwaukee's Kent Benson in retaliation to an elbow, causing him to miss almost two months and 20 games.

1978: Divorce from Janice Brown

In 1978, Abdul-Jabbar and Janice Brown divorced.

1978: First Sneaker Endorsement Deal

In 1978, Abdul-Jabbar became the first NBA player to sign a sneaker endorsement deal with Adidas. Soon after, he became the first player with a signature shoe.

1978: All-Star Game Omission

In 1978, Abdul-Jabbar was not named to the NBA All-Star Game for the only time in his 20-year career.

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.

1980: Role in Airplane!

In 1980, Abdul-Jabbar played the role of co-pilot Roger Murdock in the comedy film Airplane!, where he has a memorable scene breaking character and expressing frustration with criticisms about his defensive play.

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1980: Sixth MVP Award

In 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar claimed his sixth and final MVP award.

1981: Response to Hustle Criticism

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

December 22, 1983: Low Scoring Game

On December 22, 1983, Abdul-Jabbar scored 10 points against Golden State, dropping his season average to 17.7, almost 10 points below his career average.

1983: Publication of Autobiography 'Giant Steps'

In 1983, Abdul-Jabbar published his first book, the autobiography 'Giant Steps', co-written with Peter Knobler. The book's title is an homage to jazz great John Coltrane's album 'Giant Steps'.

Giant Steps: The Autobiography of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Giant Steps: The Autobiography of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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.

April 5, 1984: Breaks Scoring Record

On April 5, 1984, playing against Utah, Abdul-Jabbar broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for the most career points in the NBA.

December 5, 1984: Contract Extension

On December 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract extension with the Lakers.

1984: Tales from the Darkside

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

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1984: Broke NBA Scoring Record

In 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record, solidifying his status as a dominant force in basketball.

November 12, 1985: Contract Extension Signed

On November 12, 1985, Abdul-Jabbar signed a one-year extension of his contract at the same $2 million salary, retaining the option to retire after the 1985–86 season.

1985: Finals MVP

In 1985, Abdul-Jabbar won his second Finals MVP award, becoming the oldest player to win the award at 38 years and 54 days old.

1985: Riley Calls Abdul-Jabbar Greatest Player

In 1985, Pat Riley hailed Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest player ever, citing his broken records, championships, and enduring responsibility.

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.

1986: Played 17th Season

In 1986, Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season, breaking the NBA record for seasons played.

1987: Signed Two-Year Contract with Lakers

After winning the championship over Boston in 1987, Abdul-Jabbar signed a two-year contract with the Lakers.

1988: Lakers Win NBA Championship

In 1988, the Lakers, after a guarantee from Riley, defeated the Detroit Pistons to win the NBA Championship. In Game 6, Abdul-Jabbar made two free throws with 14 seconds remaining, extending the series to seven games.

1989: Retirement from NBA

In 1989, at the age of 42, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired from the NBA as the league's all-time regular season leader in multiple categories.

1989: Lakers Lose NBA Finals

In 1989, the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in a four-game sweep in the NBA finals, marking the end of Abdul-Jabbar's career.

February 10, 1994: In Living Color Appearance

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

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1994: Co-Executive Producer of 'The Vernon Johns Story'

In 1994, Abdul-Jabbar was the co-executive producer of the TV film 'The Vernon Johns Story'.

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1995: Abdul-Jabbar Expresses Interest in Coaching

In 1995, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar started expressing interest in coaching, aiming to share his vast basketball knowledge. However, he faced limited opportunities due to a reputation for being introverted and unfriendly with the media during his playing career, which led to perceptions of being aloof.

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'.

1998: Abdul-Jabbar Volunteers at Alchesay High School

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

2002: Abdul-Jabbar Coaches Oklahoma Storm to Championship

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

2005: Abdul-Jabbar Returns to the Lakers as Assistant Coach

In 2005, Abdul-Jabbar rejoined the Lakers as a special assistant coach to Phil Jackson, where he mentored the team's young center, Andrew Bynum, for six seasons.

2006: Appearance on The Colbert Report

In 2006, Abdul-Jabbar appeared on The Colbert Report in a skit called "HipHopKetball II: The ReJazzebration Remix '06".

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2007: Named Greatest Center of All Time by ESPN

In 2007, ESPN named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the greatest center of all time, recognizing his exceptional career and contributions to basketball.

2007: ESPN Voted Abdul-Jabbar Best Center

In 2007, ESPN voted Abdul-Jabbar as the best center of all time, ahead of Wilt Chamberlain.

December 2008: Diagnosis of Leukemia

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

2008: Appearance on The Colbert Report as a Stage Manager

In 2008, Abdul-Jabbar appeared on The Colbert Report as a stage manager tasked with finding Nazi gold.

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2008: Named Greatest Player in College Basketball History

In 2008, ESPN recognized Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest player in college basketball history, highlighting his dominance and achievements during his time at UCLA.

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 10, 2011: Film Debut: On the Shoulders of Giants

On February 10, 2011, Abdul-Jabbar debuted his film 'On the Shoulders of Giants', documenting the New York Renaissance professional basketball team, at Science Park High School in Newark, New Jersey. The event was simulcast live throughout the school, city, and state.

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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.

2011: Voice Acting in The Simpsons

In 2011, Abdul-Jabbar voiced himself in an episode of The Simpsons titled "Love Is a Many Strangled Thing".

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2011: Awarded the Double Helix Medal

In 2011, Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Double Helix Medal for his work in raising awareness for cancer research. Also in 2011, Abdul-Jabbar received an honorary degree from New York Institute of Technology.

2011: End of Lakers Assistant Coaching Role

In 2011, Abdul-Jabbar's six-season tenure as a special assistant coach with the Lakers came to an end.

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: Recurring Role on 'Guys with Kids'

From 2012 to 2013, Abdul-Jabbar had a recurring role as himself on the NBC series 'Guys with Kids'.

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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: Recurring Role on 'Guys with Kids'

From 2012 to 2013, Abdul-Jabbar had a recurring role as himself on the NBC series 'Guys with Kids'.

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2013: Unsuccessful Coaching Applications

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

2013: Participation in 'Splash' Reality Series

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

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2013: Julius Erving Praises Abdul-Jabbar

In 2013, Julius Erving stated that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is still the number one all-time player to start a franchise with.

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.

2014: Parody Commercial

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

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2014: "The Blueprint" Crazy 8 Shoe Release

In 2014, the UCLA Bruins wore "The Blueprint" Crazy 8 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
Adidas Crazy 8 Shoes

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.

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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.

2015: Appearance in HBO Documentary 'Kareem: Minority of One'

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

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2015: Adult Fiction Debut with 'Mycroft Holmes'

In 2015, Abdul-Jabbar made his adult fiction writing debut with the Victorian mystery novel 'Mycroft Holmes', based on the character from the Sherlock Holmes stories, co-written with Anna Waterhouse.

Mycroft Holmes
Mycroft Holmes

2015: ESPN Ranks Abdul-Jabbar as Best Center

In 2015, ESPN named Abdul-Jabbar the best center in NBA history and ranked him No. 2 among the greatest NBA players ever, behind Michael Jordan.

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.

2016: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama.

2016: Rookie Card Sale

In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar's only recognized rookie card became the most expensive basketball card ever sold, fetching $501,900 at auction.

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: Appearance in Linkin Park's 'Good Goodbye' Music Video

In 2017, Abdul-Jabbar appeared in the music video for 'Good Goodbye' by Linkin Park, playing a warlord in a dunk contest.

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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.

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September 2018: Announced as Writer for 'Veronica Mars' Revival

In September 2018, Abdul-Jabbar was announced as one of the writers for the July 2019 revival of 'Veronica Mars'.

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2018: Publication of 'Mycroft and Sherlock'

In 2018, Abdul-Jabbar co-authored 'Mycroft and Sherlock' with Anna Waterhouse, a sequel to 'Mycroft Holmes'.

Mycroft and Sherlock (MYCROFT HOLMES Book 2)
Mycroft and Sherlock (MYCROFT HOLMES Book 2)

2018: Resignation from Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

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

2018: NBA rookie record tied by Jayson Tatum

In 2018, Jayson Tatum tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA rookie record with 10 or more games of 20+ points scored during the playoffs.

2018: Slam Ranks Abdul-Jabbar No. 4 All-Time

In 2018, Slam ranked Abdul-Jabbar as the No. 4 player in their "Top 100 Players Of All-Time" list.

February 2019: Appearance in 'The Big Bang Theory'

In February 2019, Abdul-Jabbar appeared in season 12, episode 16 of 'The Big Bang Theory', titled 'The D&D Vortex'.

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July 2019: Writer for 'Veronica Mars' Revival

Abdul-Jabbar was one of the writers for the July 2019 revival of 'Veronica Mars'.

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2019: UCLA Records

As of the 2019-20 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still holds or shares a number of individual records at UCLA.

2019: Publication of 'Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage'

In 2019, Abdul-Jabbar co-authored 'Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage' with Anna Waterhouse, the third novel in the Mycroft Holmes series.

Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage (MYCROFT HOLMES)
Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage (MYCROFT HOLMES)

2020: Revelation of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

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

2020: Nomination for Primetime Emmy Award

In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for his work on the documentary special Black Patriots: Heroes of The Revolution.

2020: Executive Producer and Narrator of 'Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution'

In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar was the executive producer and narrator of the History channel special 'Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution', earning an Emmy nomination for his narration.

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2020: ESPN Ranks Abdul-Jabbar No. 3 All-Time

In 2020, ESPN ranked Abdul-Jabbar as No. 3 in their list of the top 74 NBA players of all time, recognizing him as the best center ever, ahead of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

June 2021: Essay on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

In June 2021, Abdul-Jabbar published an essay in Jacobin discussing the negative impact of COVID-19 vaccine refusal on public health, including criticism of 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 also named after him.

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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'.

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2022: Anniversary Team Rankings

In 2022, Abdul-Jabbar was ranked No. 3 (first in his position) in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list and No. 3 (behind Jordan and James) in a similar list by The Athletic.

February 7, 2023: LeBron James Breaks Scoring Record

On February 7, 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 38,387 career points to become the NBA's new career scoring leader. Abdul-Jabbar was present at the game and passed the game ball to James during the in-game ceremony.

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.

December 2023: Hospitalization After Hip Fracture

In December 2023, Abdul-Jabbar was hospitalized after he fell and broke his hip while attending a concert.

2023: Appearance in 'Billions'

In 2023, Abdul-Jabbar appeared as himself in season 7, episode 3 of the Showtime series 'Billions'.

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2023: Scoring Record Surpassed

In 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA career scoring record, ending Abdul-Jabbar's long-held reign.

2023: Riley Reasserts Abdul-Jabbar's Greatness

In 2023, as LeBron James approached breaking the NBA career scoring record, Pat Riley reaffirmed that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains the greatest player ever, emphasizing his unstoppable skyhook shot.

2024: All-Star Appearance Record Surpassed

In 2024, LeBron James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar's record of 19 All-Star team selections.