KAREEMABDUL-JABBAR
LOS ANGELES LAKERSThe NBA's all-time leading scorer and a six-time champion. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook and sustained excellence with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers made him one of the most dominant centers in basketball history.
6×NBA CHAMPION
2×FINALS MVP
6×NBA MVP
19×ALL-STAR
Kareem Abdul-jabbar biography — NBA career story, legacy, championships, awards and personal background.
Career timeline, milestones, and place among all-time greats.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Born April 16, 1947, in New York City as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. Height 7 ft 2 in (218 cm). One of the greatest centers in basketball history, he played 20 seasons in the NBA (1969–1989) for the Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975) and Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989).
At UCLA (1966–1969), under coach John Wooden, he led the team to three consecutive NCAA championships (1967–1969) and was named national player of the year and Final Four Most Outstanding Player three times.
Drafted 1st overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969. In 1971 he led the Bucks to the NBA championship and was named Finals MVP. That same year he converted to Islam and adopted the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Over his career he won six NBA MVP awards (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980) and two Finals MVP awards (1971, 1985). A 19-time NBA All-Star. With the Lakers he won five more championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) — six in total for his career.
Career totals: 38,387 points (24.6 ppg), 17,440 rebounds (11.2 rpg), 5,660 assists (3.6 apg). He held the NBA's career scoring record for nearly 39 years — until February 7, 2023, when LeBron James surpassed it.
Known for his signature "skyhook" shot. Retired in 1989 at age 42. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
Kareem Abdul-jabbar quick facts — Height 7'2. 24.6 PPG career average. Championship years: 1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988.
Height, weight, draft year, and years in the league.
Kareem Abdul-jabbar awards and honors — Championship years: 1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988.
Major individual and team accolades with seasons won.
6x2x6x19x
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Kareem Abdul-jabbar career statistics summary — 24.6 PPG career average.
Regular-season averages and totals across the full NBA career.
Kareem Abdul-jabbar career highs — best single-game performances in points, rebounds, assists and more.
Personal records with dates and opponents.
vs MIL
vs LAL
vs SEA
vs LAL
vs LAL
vs CHI
Kareem Abdul-jabbar advanced stats — PER, win shares, BPM and overall impact metrics.
Impact measured beyond traditional box score statistics.
Kareem Abdul-jabbar playoff stats — postseason points, rebounds, assists and games played.
Postseason production across every playoff run.
Kareem Abdul-jabbar All-Star Game stats — appearances, minutes and showcase performance.
Mid-season exhibition stats across every All-Star selection.
→Kareem Abdul-jabbar NBA transactions — trades, signings and team changes by date.
Team moves and dates across every NBA stop.
FAQ about Kareem Abdul-jabbar — rings, MVP awards, career stats, height.
Answers to the most searched questions about championships and career honors.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game in the regular season.
Kareem Abdul-jabbar salary history — Career salary $8,560,000.
Year-by-year compensation across the professional career.
Kareem Abdul-jabbar filmography — movies, documentaries and on-screen basketball roles.
Theatrical releases and documentary appearances.
Players similar to Kareem Abdul-jabbar — statistical peers by position, peak seasons and career arc.
All-time comparisons with the closest playing profile.
NoteThe club shown in the profile isn't necessarily the player's last team, but the one he's most associated with and that defined his career. See the full team history in the Transactions section.