On This Day

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Athlete

Born: American

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former basketball player. He played professionally for 20 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins as a center. A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Abdul-Jabbar won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. He was a 19-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA Team member, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He was a member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two more as an assistant coach, and was twice voted the NBA Finals MVP. He was named to three NBA anniversary teams (35th, 50th, and 75th). Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA's career scoring record in 1984, and held it until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.

Abdul-Jabbar was known as Lew Alcindor when he played at Power Memorial, a private Catholic high school in New York City, where he led their team to 71 consecutive wins. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, winning three consecutive national championships under head coach John Wooden.

Notable For

American basketball player

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Historical Timeline

  1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is born

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, American athlete, known for american basketball player, was born on 1948-04-16. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former basketball player.

  2. Milwaukee Bucks sign #1 NBA Draft pick, star UCLA center Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former basketball player. He played professionally for 20 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and…

  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar passes Oscar Robertson (26,710) to become the NBA’s second all-time leading scorer behind Wilt Chamb

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar passes Oscar Robertson (26,710) to become the NBA’s second all-time leading scorer behind Wilt Chamberlain; scores 14 points in 117-86 Lakers' win over Utah Jazz in Los Angeles

  4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaks Wilt Chamberlain's all-time career scoring record of 31,419 points

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaks Wilt Chamberlain's all-time career scoring record of 31,419 points

  5. Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton blocks two shots in a 96-89 win over the Seattle Supersonics; becomes only second player in

    Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton blocks two shots in a 96-89 win over the Seattle Supersonics; becomes only second player in NBA history (along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to record 3,000 career blocks

  6. New Orleans Pelicans' DeMarcus Cousins has 44 points, 24 rebounds & 10 assists in 132-128 double-OT win over Chicago Bul

    New Orleans Pelicans' DeMarcus Cousins has 44 points, 24 rebounds & 10 assists in 132-128 double-OT win over Chicago Bulls; 1st player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1972) with 40+ points, 20+ rebounds & 10+ assists

Associated Historical Events

birth

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is born

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, American athlete, known for american basketball player, was born on 1948-04-16. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former basketball player.

Milwaukee Bucks sign #1 NBA Draft pick, star UCLA center Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former basketball player. He played professionally for 20 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and…

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar passes Oscar Robertson (26,710) to become the NBA’s second all-time leading scorer behind Wilt Chamb

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar passes Oscar Robertson (26,710) to become the NBA’s second all-time leading scorer behind Wilt Chamberlain; scores 14 points in 117-86 Lakers' win over Utah Jazz in Los Angeles

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaks Wilt Chamberlain's all-time career scoring record of 31,419 points

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaks Wilt Chamberlain's all-time career scoring record of 31,419 points

Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton blocks two shots in a 96-89 win over the Seattle Supersonics; becomes only second player in

Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton blocks two shots in a 96-89 win over the Seattle Supersonics; becomes only second player in NBA history (along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to record 3,000 career blocks

New Orleans Pelicans' DeMarcus Cousins has 44 points, 24 rebounds & 10 assists in 132-128 double-OT win over Chicago Bul

New Orleans Pelicans' DeMarcus Cousins has 44 points, 24 rebounds & 10 assists in 132-128 double-OT win over Chicago Bulls; 1st player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1972) with 40+ points, 20+ rebounds & 10+ assists

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar born?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born on 1948-04-16 (American).
What is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar known for?
American basketball player
What historical events involved Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was involved in 6 recorded historical events, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is born, Milwaukee Bucks sign #1 NBA Draft pick, star UCLA center Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar passes Oscar Robertson (26,710) to become the NBA’s second all-time leading scorer behind Wilt Chamb.

Related Years