Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Quotes

A collection of quotes by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was born on April 16, 1947, in New York City, New York. Standing at an impressive 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters) tall, Abdul-Jabbar had an impressive career that spanned over two decades.

Abdul-Jabbar gained prominence during his years at Power Memorial High School. He continued his basketball journey at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) playing for legendary coach John Wooden. During his time there, Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, played a significant role in leading the Bruins to three consecutive NCAA championships from 1967 to 1969.

In 1969, Abdul-Jabbar entered the NBA (National Basketball Association) and played for the Milwaukee Bucks and later for the Los Angeles Lakers. Throughout his career, Abdul-Jabbar showcased unmatched skills and versatility, dominating games with his iconic skyhook shot. He won six NBA championships, five with the Lakers and one with the Bucks, and earned numerous accolades such as six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, making him the all-time leader in NBA MVPs.

After retiring in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar continued his involvement in basketball as a coach, author, and social activist. He remains a respected figure in the sports community, using his platform to advocate for various causes and promote social justice.

Note: The actual biography of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar exceeds 200 words. The given biography is a condensed version of his life and career.

I was getting hot flashes and sweats on a regular basis. Tha

I was getting hot flashes and sweats on a regular basis. That's not normal, even for my age.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Age

I have been coaching recently. I coached high school basketb

I have been coaching recently. I coached high school basketball in Arizona, and I hope that more opportunities become available.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Hope

I hope to be involved in a successful movie script.

I hope to be involved in a successful movie script.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Hope

The '80s made up for all the abuse I took during the '70s. I

The '80s made up for all the abuse I took during the '70s. I outlived all my critics. By the time I retired, everybody saw me as a venerable institution. Things do change.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Change

I'm not comfortable being preachy, but more people need to s

I'm not comfortable being preachy, but more people need to start spending as much time in the library as they do on the basketball court.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Time

I think that the good and the great are only separated by th

I think that the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Great

I didn't really seek attention. I just wanted to play the ga

I didn't really seek attention. I just wanted to play the game well and go home.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Home

If not for the success that medicine has made, I might be pa

If not for the success that medicine has made, I might be part of a much different story right now.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Success

You can't win unless you learn how to lose.

You can't win unless you learn how to lose.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Sports

In a typical history book, black Americans are mentioned in

In a typical history book, black Americans are mentioned in the context of slavery or civil rights. There's so much more to the story.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

History

This is what I would have done if I had to have a real job:

This is what I would have done if I had to have a real job: I would have been a history teacher.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

History

Sports and entertainment are the only places where inner-cit

Sports and entertainment are the only places where inner-city kids see themselves being able to succeed. Their intellectual development is something they don't relate to.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Sports

Black people don't have an accurate idea of their history, w

Black people don't have an accurate idea of their history, which has been either suppressed or distorted.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

History

Today's youth are told to get rich or die trying and they re

Today's youth are told to get rich or die trying and they really shouldn't take that attitude forward with them.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Attitude

Music is really something that makes people whole.

Music is really something that makes people whole.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Music

What I have is P.H. positive chronic myeloid leukemia, which

What I have is P.H. positive chronic myeloid leukemia, which is an aberration in your white blood cells.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Positive

Jackie Robinson, as an athlete and as someone who was trying

Jackie Robinson, as an athlete and as someone who was trying to make a stand for equality, he was exemplary.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Equality

My health is fine.

My health is fine.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Health

I did a book in 1996, an overview of black history. In that

I did a book in 1996, an overview of black history. In that process I became more aware of a lot of the black inventors of the 19th century.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

History

When I was a kid, no one would believe anything positive tha

When I was a kid, no one would believe anything positive that you could say about black people. That's a terrible burden.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Positive