
Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. (born April 16, 1947) in New York City, grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Harlem in a family of Trinidadian descent, raised in the Catholic tradition and imbued with values such as honor and dignity. An only child, he was quickly marked by his exceptional height: from elementary school onward, he played with the tallest kids, and at fourteen, already over two meters (6'7"), he was able to dunk. His adolescence was punctuated by episodes of social confrontation and learning the art of street basketball, which forged his competitive spirit. Abdul-Jabbar distinguished himself early on at Power Memorial Academy, where he set records for points and rebounds, leading his team to 71 consecutive victories and three New York State high school championships. This period is unanimously recognized as one of the greatest high school basketball careers in history. In 1965, he entered UCLA under the tutelage of John Wooden and dominated the sport, winning three consecutive NCAA titles from 1967 to 1969 and being named the tournament MVP each time. His impact on the game was so significant that the NCAA temporarily banned the dunk during his time there. In 1969, Abdul-Jabbar was the first overall pick in the NBA draft and joined the Milwaukee Bucks. In his first season, he distinguished himself with impressive statistics (28.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists) and was named Rookie of the Year. In 1971, he led the Bucks to the NBA title—the franchise's only championship—and won his first MVP award. It was also during this period that he converted to Islam, taking the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, publicly affirming his spiritual choice at a time when American society was still experiencing significant racial tensions. Abdul-Jabbar then joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where his career reached legendary proportions. He won five more NBA titles, bringing his total to six, and accumulated six MVP awards. He participated in 19 All-Star Games, was a two-time league scoring champion, and holds the career scoring record (38,387 points). His accolades also include two Finals MVP awards and a multitude of individual and team accolades. He holds eight playoff records and seven All-Star Game records, and was named to the NBA's 35th and 50th Anniversary Teams. Technically, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar revolutionized basketball by inventing, perfecting, and popularizing the "sky hook," a unique move that no one has equaled: a curling arm shot, difficult to block and incredibly effective, which became his signature weapon. He is also recognizable by his protective goggles, which he adopted after an eye injury during his college years. His renown extends far beyond the world of sports: Abdul-Jabbar dedicated his life to the fight for civil rights and the promotion of African American culture, writing several books and regularly participating in public debate. Adored for his athletic achievements, respected for his strength of character and social activism, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains, for many, the greatest legend in basketball history—a champion with universal values and an icon whose influence endures far beyond the court.

as Self

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice)
1989

as Self
1962

as Self
2014

as Self - Guest
2009

as Self
1996

as Self
1993

2022

as Self - Contestant
2005

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2007

as Self
2005

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2001

as Self
2012
as Mantis
2023

as Self
2026

as Self (archive footage)
2025

as Mantis
2023

as Self
2023

as Self (archive footage)
2023

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2022

as Self - Narrator (voice)
2022
as Self
2021

as Self
2021

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2020
as Self - Co-Host
2020

as Self - Narrator (voice)
2020

as Self - Student / Friend
2020

as Mantis
2019

as Self
2018

as Self (archive footage)
2016

as Self
2015

as Self (archive footage)
2015

as Himself
2013

as Self - Narrator
2011

as Self
2010

as Self
2009

as Self
2009

as Self
2008
as Self
1 ep.

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice)
1 episodes

as Self
1 episodes

as Self
1 episodes

as Self - Guest
1 episodes

as Self
3 episodes

as Self
1 episodes

1 episodes

as Self - Contestant
2 episodes

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1 episodes

as Self
2 episodes

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1 episodes

as Self
1 episodes

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1 episodes

1 episodes

1 episodes

as Himself
1 episodes

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1 episodes

1 episodes

as Wesley Williams
1 episodes

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1 episodes

as Self
1 episodes

as Dr. Skyhook
1 episodes

as The Djinn, Jan Bin Jan
1 episodes

as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1 episodes
Writer