The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Basketball›Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Sports • Basketball

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history. He played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, won six NBA championships, and retired as the league's all-time leading scorer until LeBron James surpassed him in 2023.

Early life and name change

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. in New York City in 1947. He later changed his name after converting to Islam.

NBA career

Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA from 1969 to 1989 for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. He became one of the league's most decorated players, winning six MVP awards and six championships.

Playing style and skyhook

He is best known for the skyhook, a high-release hook shot that was extremely difficult to defend. The move became one of the most famous and effective shots in basketball.

Legacy

Abdul-Jabbar retired with 38,387 career points, then the NBA scoring record. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and later became an author and public commentator.

Key facts

  • He was born in New York City in 1947 and was known as Lew Alcindor before changing his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
  • He stood 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) tall and played center in the NBA.
  • He won six NBA championships: one with Milwaukee and five with Los Angeles.
  • He finished his NBA career with 38,387 points, which was the league scoring record until 2023.
  • He was known for his signature skyhook shot, a highly difficult shot to block.
🍁
Canadian context

Canadian fans know Abdul-Jabbar as one of the defining figures in basketball history, and his records, championships, and signature skyhook are part of the sport's global legacy followed in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former professional basketball player, best known for his NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers and for winning six championships.
How tall is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
He is listed at 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m).
What are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's career stats?
He finished his NBA career with 38,387 points, 17,440 rebounds, and 5,660 assists in regular-season play.
How many championships did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar win?
He won six NBA championships as a player.
What is the skyhook move?
The skyhook is Abdul-Jabbar's signature hook shot, released with a high arc from one hand, making it very difficult to block.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, height, NBA career, and skyhook description.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar
    Supports: Height, teams, championships, career points, and scoring record.
  3. NBA — https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-legend-kareem-abdul-jabbar
    Supports: Six championships, six MVP awards, scoring record, and skyhook significance.
  4. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame — https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/kareem-abdul-jabbar
    Supports: Skyhook description and six championships.
  5. Basketball-Reference — https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/abdulka01.html
    Supports: Career totals and championship count.
  6. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/us/kareem-abdul-jabbar-fast-facts
    Supports: Skyhook origin and six championships.