Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. in 1947, is an American basketball legend and a far-reaching cultural icon. Considered by many to be the greatest center in NBA history, his career is studded with records and titles.

On-Court Strength Abdul-Jabbar, 7-foot-1, was an unstoppable force on the court. Known for his “skyhook,” an unstoppable shot with a high, accurate hook, he held the NBA record for most career points for many years (most recently broken by LeBron James in 2023). He was awarded the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) six times, a record for a center. His defensive skills were equally impressive, winning him the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1974.

Abdul-Jabbar's career spanned two decades, primarily with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. He won six NBA titles, six with the Lakers and one with the Bucks, cementing his status as a serial winner. Alongside Magic Johnson on the Lakers, he formed one of the most dominant duos in basketball history, leading the team into a new era of success.