Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He played 20 seasons in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, achieving remarkable success. A Hall of Fame member, he holds a record six NBA MVP awards. Abdul-Jabbar was a 19-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA Team member, and 11-time All-Defensive Team selection. He won six NBA championships as a player and two as an assistant coach, earning two Finals MVP awards. He was named to three NBA anniversary teams. He held the NBA's career scoring record from 1984 until 2023.

Sections (6)

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

1966: Varsity Debut and National Coverage

In 1966, Alcindor made his varsity debut as a sophomore and received national coverage, scoring 56 points in his first game and leading UCLA to an undefeated season and national championship.

1967: National Player of the Year and NCAA Champion

In 1967, Alcindor was named national player of the year and won the NCAA basketball championship with UCLA.

1968: National Player of the Year and NCAA Champion

In 1968, Alcindor was named national player of the year and won the NCAA basketball championship with UCLA.

1969: Third Time National Player of the Year and NCAA Champion

In 1969, Alcindor was named national player of the year for the third time and won his third NCAA basketball championship with UCLA. He also became the first-ever Naismith College Player of the Year.

1971: NBA Championship and MVP Award

In 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his first NBA Most Valuable Player Award, led the league in scoring, and led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA title, winning the Finals MVP award.

1973: 1973-74 NBA Season

Defensive rebounds were first recorded in NBA history during the 1973-74 NBA Season

1974: Abdul-Jabbar Leads Bucks to Division Title and Wins MVP

In 1974, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Milwaukee Bucks to their fourth consecutive Midwest Division title and won his third MVP Award in four years. He was among the top five NBA players in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, and field goal percentage in 1974. The Bucks advanced to the 1974 NBA finals, losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games.

1974: Blocks Recorded

In 1974, the statistic of blocks was recorded, after four years in Kareem's career.

1976: Abdul-Jabbar Leads Lakers to Best Record, Wins MVP

In the 1976-77 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the best record in the NBA and won his fifth MVP award. He led the league in field goal percentage and was among the top in scoring, rebounds, and blocked shots in 1976.

1980: Abdul-Jabbar Wins Sixth MVP and Leads Lakers to Championship

In 1979-80, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his record sixth MVP award and led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA championship in 1980. He sprained his ankle in Game 5 of the finals but returned to finish the contest with 40 points.

1980: Sixth MVP Award

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

1981: Lakers Win Another Championship

The Los Angeles Lakers won another championship in 1981-82, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suffered migraines in the finals, averaging just 18 points per game against Philadelphia.

April 5, 1984: Abdul-Jabbar Breaks Scoring Record

On April 5, 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for most career points in the NBA, scoring from 15 feet on his patent skyhook over Mark Eaton.

1984: Broke NBA Career Scoring Record

In 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record, cementing his status as a top scorer in the league.

1985: Abdul-Jabbar Wins Finals MVP

In 1985, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his second Finals MVP, becoming the oldest to win the award at 38 years old. He averaged 25.7 points in the series against the Boston Celtics. After a poor performance in Game 1, he bounced back with 30 points in Game 2, leading the Lakers to victory.

1985: Riley's Statement

In 1985, Riley toasted Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest player ever, citing his records, championships, and endurance.

1986: Abdul-Jabbar Plays in 17th Season

In 1985-86, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season, breaking the previous NBA record for seasons played of 16. He maintained the option to retire after the season in 1986.

1987: Lakers Win Championship Over Celtics

The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals in each of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's final three seasons, starting with a championship over Boston in 1987.

1988: Lakers Win Championship over Pistons

In 1988, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons for the championship, marking their first consecutive titles since the 1968-69 Celtics.

1989: Retirement from the NBA

In 1989, at the age of 42, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired from the NBA. At the time of his retirement, he held several NBA regular season career records.

2002: Oklahoma Storm Head Coach

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

2007: Named Best Center by ESPN

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

2007: Named Greatest Center of All Time

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

2008: Named Greatest College Basketball Player

In 2008, ESPN named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the greatest player in college basketball history, highlighting his remarkable collegiate career.

2011: Awards Received in 2011

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

January 2012: Appointment as Cultural Ambassador

In January 2012, Abdul-Jabbar was appointed as a cultural ambassador for the United States by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and traveled to Brazil to promote education for local youths.

2013: Erving's Statement

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

2015: ESPN Ranking

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

2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2016, Abdul-Jabbar received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

January 2017: Appointment 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.

2018: Ranked No. 4 by Slam

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

2018: 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.

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

In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar served as the executive producer and narrator of the History channel special "Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution" and was nominated for an Emmy Award for his narration.

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2020: Nomination for Primetime Emmy Award

In 2020, Abdul-Jabbar was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for "Black Patriots: Heroes of The Revolution".

2020: Ranked No. 3 by ESPN

In 2020, 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.

2022: Ranked No. 3 in NBA 75th Anniversary Team list

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: Career Scoring Record Surpassed

On February 7, 2023, LeBron James of the Lakers surpassed 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 ceremony.

2023: NBA Career 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's Choice as Greatest

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 ever, citing his unstoppable skyhook.