Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1947 –
Born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. in New York, New York, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is unquestionably one of the ten best basketball players that has ever lived. Thanks to his on court success, Abdul-Jabbar has had infinitely more influence on social justice issues. Abdul-Jabbar understood at a young age that winning drew fans, and if tactful, he could use the platform provided by his large fanbase to spread important messages of peace and equality.
On the court, Abdul-Jabbar was an unstoppable force. His basketball accolades will never be surpassed. He earned 19 All-Star selections, six MVP awards, won six championships, and scored 38,387 points –– the most in league history. His seven foot two inch frame coupled with a seven foot five inch wingspan made his signature move, the “skyhook” unguardable. But Abdul-Jabbar was not forced to truly master the skyhook till the NCAA ban against dunking was in place.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar performing the famous skyhook
Credit: Associated Press
Abdul-Jabbar was so dominant in college while winning national championships for UCLA, the NCAA introduced dramatic changes to the rules that specifically targeted Abdul-Jabbar. What was commonly referred to as the “Lew Alcindor Rule” was a restriction against ‘players making shots above or directly over the basket.’ Essentially, the NCAA outlawed dunking. The ‘slam dunk’ which is now one of the most strategically important, efficient, and glorified means of scoring, was banned by the NCAA in order to attempt to stop the two time AP Player of the Year and three time national champion. As former U.S. President Barack Obama noted, “when a sport changes its rules to make it harder just for you, you are really good.” Thus, with the restriction in place, Abdul-Jabbar did not dunk in his final two seasons at UCLA, but it didn’t stop him from winning championships.
In 2014, President Obama awarded Abdul-Jabbar the highest civilian honor - the Congressional Medal of Freedom. This honor was in recognition of Abdul-Jabbar’s lifelong pursuit of equality and justice. Obama explained the reason for bestowing this honor on Abdul-Jabbar stating, “the reason we honor Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] is more than just a pair of goggles and a skyhook. He stood up for his Muslim faith when it wasn’t easy and it wasn’t popular. He’s as comfortable sparring with Bruce Lee as he is advocating on Capitol Hill, or writing with extraordinary eloquence about patriotism. Physically, intellectually, spiritually, Kareem is one-of-a-kind. An American who illuminates our most basic freedoms and our highest aspirations.”
