How Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar across different fields.

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

1978: Signed sneaker endorsement deal with Adidas

In 1978, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the first NBA player to sign a sneaker endorsement deal with Adidas and subsequently the first player with a signature shoe.

1983: Publication of Giant Steps

In 1983, Abdul-Jabbar's autobiography, Giant Steps, co-authored with Peter Knobler, was published.

Giant Steps: The Autobiography of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Check it on Amazon

1985: Riley calls Abdul-Jabbar the greatest player ever

In 1985, Pat Riley called Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the greatest player ever.

2007: Named greatest center of all time by ESPN

In 2007, ESPN named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the greatest center of all time.

2008: Named the greatest player in college basketball history by ESPN

In 2008, ESPN named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the greatest player in college basketball history.

2012: Selected as U.S. global cultural ambassador

In 2012, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was selected by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to be a U.S. global cultural ambassador.

2013: Julius Erving calls Abdul-Jabbar the number one player of all-time

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

2015: ESPN ranked Abdul-Jabbar the best center in NBA history

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: Rookie card becomes most expensive basketball card

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

2018: Ranked No. 4 in Slam's "Top 100 Players Of All-Time"

In 2018, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was ranked No. 4 in Slam's "Top 100 Players Of All-Time".

2019: Holds individual records at UCLA

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.

2020: Ranked No. 3 in ESPN's top 74 NBA players of all time

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

2022: Ranked No. 3 in ESPN's 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: LeBron James Surpasses Abdul-Jabbar's Scoring Record

On February 7, 2023, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 38,387 career points to become the NBA's career scoring record holder. Abdul-Jabbar attended the game and passed the game ball to James during the in-game ceremony after the record was broken.

2023: NBA scoring record surpassed by Lebron James

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

2023: Riley still chooses Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest

In 2023, as LeBron James was on the verge of breaking the NBA career scoring record, Pat Riley remained steadfast in his opinion that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the greatest player in NBA history, citing his unstoppable skyhook shot.