History of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Timeline
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.
1967: National Player of the Year and NCAA Champion
In 1967, Alcindor was named national player of the year and played on one of the NCAA basketball champion teams.
January 12, 1968: Eye Injury
On January 12, 1968, during his junior year, Alcindor suffered a scratched left cornea in a game against California (UC Berkeley). This injury caused him to miss the next two games and eventually led him to wear goggles for eye protection during his professional career.
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.
1968: NCAA Champion
In 1968, Alcindor played on one of the NCAA basketball champion teams.
1968: Celtics' Consecutive Title Record
In 1988, Pat Riley guaranteed that the Los Angeles Lakers would be the first NBA team to win consecutive titles since the 1968-69 Celtics.
1969: Naismith College Player of the Year and NCAA Champion
In 1969, Alcindor was named the first-ever Naismith College Player of the Year, and played on one of the NCAA basketball champion teams.
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.
February 21, 1970: Scored 51 points against the SuperSonics
On February 21, 1970, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 51 points in a 140–127 win over the SuperSonics.
1970: Acquisition of Oscar Robertson
In 1970, The Milwaukee Bucks acquired All-Star guard Oscar Robertson.
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: NBA Championship and MVP Award
In 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his first NBA Most Valuable Player Award and led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA title, earning the Finals MVP award. The Bucks swept the Baltimore Bullets 4-0 in the 1971 NBA Finals.
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.
1972: Appearance in "Game of Death"
In 1972, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared in the film Game of Death alongside Bruce Lee, showcasing his martial arts skills.
1972: Freshmen Eligibility
Until 1972, freshmen were ineligible 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 Arabic and deepen his understanding of the Quran, leading to a renewed faith.
1973: Defensive Rebound Stats
The 1975-76 NBA season was the first time defensive rebounds were recorded since 1973. During the 1975-76 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recorded 1,111 defensive rebounds which is still the NBA single-season record.
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.
1974: MVP Award and Finals Appearance
In 1974, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Milwaukee Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title. He also won his third MVP Award in four years. The Bucks advanced to the 1974 NBA Finals but lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games.
1974: Blocks Became Official Statistic
In 1974, the NBA began recording blocks as an official statistic, which is notable because Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ended up with the third-most blocks in NBA history (3,189) despite the statistic not being recorded for the first four years of his career.
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.
1976: Lakers' Top Record and MVP Award
In the 1976-77 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Los Angeles Lakers to the best record in the NBA at 53-29 and won his fifth MVP award.
1976: The "Alcindor Rule" rescinded
The ban on dunking in college basketball, dubbed the "Alcindor Rule" in an attempt to curtail his dominance, was rescinded in the 1976-77 season.
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.
1978: Sneaker Endorsement Deal with Adidas
In 1978, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the first NBA player to sign a sneaker endorsement deal with Adidas.
1978: All-Star Game Snub
In 1978, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was not named to the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, the only time in his 20-year career he was not selected.
1978: Playoff Elimination
In 1978, the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Seattle SuperSonics.
1979: Statistics Led
During the 1983-84 season, it was the first time since the 1979-80 season that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Los Angeles Lakers in both scoring (21.5) and rebounding (7.3).
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: Playoff Elimination
In 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the semifinals of the playoffs by the Seattle SuperSonics.
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: Statistics Led
During the 1983-84 season, it was the first time since the 1980-81 season that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Los Angeles Lakers in both scoring (21.5) and rebounding (7.3).
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.
1980: NBA Championship and MVP Award
In 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his record sixth MVP award and led the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA championship.
1980: Won Sixth MVP Award
In 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his sixth and final MVP award, continuing to average above 20 points in the following six seasons.
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.
1981: NBA Championship
In 1981–82 season, the Los Angeles Lakers won another NBA championship against the Philadelphia 76ers.
December 22, 1983: Low Scoring Game
On December 22, 1983, Kareem 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 Giant Steps
In 1983, Abdul-Jabbar published his autobiography, "Giant Steps," co-written with Peter Knobler. The book's title pays homage to John Coltrane's album "Giant Steps".
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.
1983: NBA Finals Loss
In 1983, the Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals in a rematch against the Philadelphia 76ers, but were swept 4-0.
April 5, 1984: NBA Scoring Record
On April 5, 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for most career points in the NBA during a game against Utah. He scored from 15 feet on his patent skyhook over Mark Eaton.
December 5, 1984: Contract Extension
On December 5, 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
1984: Broke NBA's Career Scoring Record
In 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record. At the time, this was a significant milestone in his career, solidifying his status as a dominant player.
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.
November 12, 1985: Contract Extension
On November 12, 1985, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar signed a one-year extension of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers at the same $2 million salary.
1985: Finals MVP and Championship
In 1985, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his second Finals MVP and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship victory over the Boston Celtics, ending the Celtics' streak of eight consecutive championships against the Lakers.
1985: Riley Praised Abdul-Jabbar
In 1985, Riley praised Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest player ever, citing his broken records, championships, and endurance of tremendous criticism and responsibility.
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: Breaking NBA Record for Seasons Played
In 1985–86 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season, breaking the previous NBA record for seasons played of 16.
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.
1987: NBA Championship
In 1987, the Los Angeles Lakers won a championship over Boston.
1988: NBA Championship
In 1988, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons for the NBA championship.
1989: Retirement from the NBA
In 1989, at the age of 42, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired from the NBA as the league's all-time leader in points, games played, and several other statistical categories.
1989: Final Season and Finals Loss
In 1989, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in a four-game sweep in the NBA Finals, marking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's final season.
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.
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: Coaching Oklahoma Storm
In 2002, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar coached the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League, leading them to the league's championship that season.
2005: Assistant Coach for the Lakers
In 2005, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar returned to the Los Angeles Lakers as a special assistant coach to Phil Jackson, where he mentored young center Andrew Bynum.
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".
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 skills and impact on the sport.
2007: Voted Best Center by ESPN
In 2007, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was voted the best center of all time by ESPN, ahead of Wilt Chamberlain.
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: Named Greatest Player in College Basketball History by ESPN
In 2008, ESPN recognized Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest player in college basketball history, highlighting his outstanding achievements during his time at UCLA.
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 10, 2011: Debut of "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 broadcast throughout the city and state.
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: Awarded Double Helix Medal and Honorary Degree
In 2011, Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Double Helix Medal for his work in raising awareness for cancer research and received an honorary degree from New York Institute of Technology.
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".
2011: End of Lakers Coaching Tenure
In 2011, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's six-season tenure as a special assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers concluded.
January 2012: Appointed as Cultural Ambassador for the United States
In January 2012, Abdul-Jabbar was appointed as a cultural ambassador for the United States by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He also traveled to Brazil to promote education for local youths as part of this role.
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.
2013: Julius Erving called Abdul-Jabbar Number 1
In 2013, Julius Erving said that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is still the number one player of all time and the player you'd start a franchise with.
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.
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.
2015: Adult Fiction Writing Debut with Mycroft Holmes
In 2015, Abdul-Jabbar made his adult fiction writing debut with the mystery novel "Mycroft Holmes", co-written with Anna Waterhouse, based on the Sherlock Holmes character.
2015: ESPN named Abdul-Jabbar the best center
In 2015, ESPN named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the best center in NBA history, and ranked him No. 2 behind Michael Jordan among the greatest NBA players ever.
2016: Performed Tribute to Muhammad Ali
In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar performed a tribute to his friend Muhammad Ali along with Chance the Rapper.
2016: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
2016: Rookie Card Sold for Record Price
In 2016, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's only recognized rookie card became the most expensive basketball card ever sold at the time when it went for $501,900 at auction.
2016: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Ranked Second Best Player in NBA History by ESPN
In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and ESPN ranked him the second-best player in NBA history, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport's greatest figures.
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.
September 2018: Announced as Writer for Veronica Mars Revival
In September 2018, it was announced that Abdul-Jabbar would be one of the writers for the July 2019 revival of Veronica Mars.
2018: Publication of Mycroft and Sherlock
In 2018, Abdul-Jabbar published "Mycroft and Sherlock", a sequel to Mycroft Holmes, co-written with Anna Waterhouse.
2018: Resigned 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
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: Ranked No. 4 in Slam's Top 100 Players
In 2018, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was ranked No. 4 in Slam's "Top 100 Players Of All-Time".
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".
July 2019: Writing for Veronica Mars Revival
In July 2019, Abdul-Jabbar worked as one of the writers for the revival of Veronica Mars.
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 published "Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage", the third novel in the series, co-written with Anna Waterhouse.
2020: Revealed Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer eleven years earlier.
2020: Executive Producer and Narrator of "Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution"
In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar served as executive producer and narrator of the History channel special "Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution". He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his narration.
2020: Nominated 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: Ranked No. 3 in ESPN's Top 74 NBA Players
In 2020, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was ranked No. 3 in ESPN's list of the top 74 NBA players of all time, the best center ever ahead of Bill Russell and Chamberlain.
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.
2022: Ranked No. 3 in NBA 75th Anniversary Team list
In 2022, Kareem 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: Career Scoring Record Surpassed
On February 7, 2023, LeBron James of the Lakers surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 38,387 career points, ending his reign as the NBA's career scoring leader, Abdul-Jabbar attended the game and passed the game ball to James during the in-game ceremony.
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.
2023: NBA's Career Scoring Record Surpassed
In 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA career scoring record, ending Abdul-Jabbar's long-held position as the league's all-time leading scorer.
2023: Riley Chose Abdul-Jabbar as Greatest Player
In 2023, as James was on the verge of breaking the NBA career scoring record, Abdul-Jabbar remained as Riley's choice as the greatest player due to the unstoppable skyhook.
2024: All-Star Team Record Surpassed
In 2024, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record for most All-Star team selections.
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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