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, a Hall of Fame center, is considered one of basketball's all-time greatest players. He dominated the NBA for 20 seasons, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, after a stellar college career at UCLA. He won a record six NBA MVP awards and was a 19-time All-Star. Abdul-Jabbar earned 6 NBA championships as a player and 2 as an assistant coach. Known for his signature 'skyhook' shot, he held the NBA's all-time scoring record from 1984 until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023. His accolades include multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive Team selections and two NBA Finals MVP awards.

Sections (6)

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

1966: Varsity Debut

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 30-0 record and a national championship.

1967: National player of the year and NCAA Champion

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

1968: NCAA Champion

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

1968: Celtics Consecutive Titles

In 1968, the Boston Celtics were the last NBA team to win consecutive titles.

1969: National player of the year, NCAA Champion, Most outstanding player and Naismith Player of the Year

In 1969, Alcindor was a national player of the year, played on a NCAA basketball champion team, was honored as the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament and became the first-ever Naismith College Player of the Year.

1971: Bucks win NBA Championship and name change

In 1971, at the age of 24, Lew Alcindor led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship and subsequently adopted the Muslim name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

1974: Blocks become official statistic

In 1974, the NBA started recording blocks as an official statistic, the fourth year of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career.

1980: Sixth MVP Award and NBA Finals Game 5

In 1980, Abdul-Jabbar won his record sixth MVP award in his first season with Johnson. In the 1980 finals, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 33.4 points in five games, spraining his ankle in Game 5, but returning to finish the contest with 40 points and leading the team to a win.

1980: Wins Sixth MVP Award

In 1980, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his sixth and final MVP award, maintaining a high level of performance throughout his later years.

1981: NBA Championship

In 1981, the Lakers won another championship.

April 5, 1984: All-Time Scoring Record

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

1984: Broke NBA's Career Scoring Record

In 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record, establishing a new milestone in his career.

1985: Finals MVP

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

1985: Riley Calls Abdul-Jabbar Greatest Player Ever

In 1985, Pat Riley called Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the greatest player ever, praising his accomplishments and endurance.

1986: Record for Seasons Played

In 1986, Abdul-Jabbar played in his 17th season, breaking the previous NBA record for seasons played of 16.

1987: NBA Championship

In 1987, the Lakers won a championship over Boston.

1988: Lakers Win Championship

In 1988, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons to win the NBA championship. In Game 6, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar converted two crucial free throws in the final seconds to force a Game 7.

2002: Oklahoma Storm Championship

In 2002, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar coached the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League, leading them to the league championship.

2007: Named Greatest Center of All Time by ESPN

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

2007: Named Best Center by ESPN

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

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 dominant performance at UCLA.

February 2011: Announcement of leukemia remission

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

2011: Awarded the Double Helix Medal and honorary degree

In 2011, Kareem 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.

January 2012: Appointed as a U.S. cultural ambassador

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

2013: Erving Calls Abdul-Jabbar No. 1

In 2013, Julius Erving stated that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the number one player of all time.

2015: ESPN Ranks Abdul-Jabbar No. 2

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

2016: Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

2016: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom and named second best NBA player

In 2016, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Also in 2016, ESPN named him the second best player in NBA history behind Michael Jordan.

January 2017: Appointed to Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

In January 2017, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was appointed to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee by the United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin.

2018: NBA Rookie Record tied

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

2018: Ranked No. 4 by Slam

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

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 by ESPN

In 2020, ESPN ranked Kareem Abdul-Jabbar No. 3 in their list of the top 74 NBA players of all time, considering him the best center ever.

2020: Nominated for Primetime Emmy Award

In 2020, Kareem 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, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the 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.

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2022: Ranked No. 3 in Anniversary Teams

In 2022, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was ranked No. 3 in ESPN's NBA 75th Anniversary Team list and No. 3 in a similar list by The Athletic, being first in his position as center.

February 7, 2023: James Breaks Scoring Record

On February 7, 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 career points to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Abdul-Jabbar attended the game and passed the game ball to James during the ceremony.