Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Lew Alcindor, was one of the greatest centers in basketball history. He won three NCAA championships in three tries at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden. During his 20-year NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar won six titles, six MVP awards and in the process amassed more points than any other player before him, the final tally being 38,387.

Already a prodigious talent in high school, Alcindor chose to play for the University of California in Los Angeles. Famously, the freshmen team starring Alcindor beat the Varsity team - reigning national champions - 75-60 in an exhibition match. To curb his dominance in college, dunking the basketball was briefly outlawed. This rule change inspired Alcindor to develop one of the deadliest weapons in basketball: the sky hook.

After three consecutive titles, he was chosen first overall in 1969 by the Milwaukee Bucks who had won a coin toss against the Phoenix Suns. Alcindor, who converted to Islam and changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, won a title with Milwaukee in 1971. In 1975, however, he forced to a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers for whom he played until his retirement in 1989. Teamed with a young Magic Johnson, Kareem won five more championships with the Lakers (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988).

Outside of basketball, Abdul-Jabbar authored several books and acted in a number of films - none more famous than in Bruce Lee's final movie "Game of Death" in which he was Lee's disciple and final opponent. In contrast to his basketball career, Kareem eventually lost to Bruce Lee.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, working in particular with the young, aspiring center Andrew Bynum.

Created by: Ole Last edited by: Berlin