Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is considered to be one of the greatest basketball players to ever grace the hardwood. His spectacular performances on the basketball court earned him numerous accolades, including six NBA championships and six MVP awards, making him one of the most successful players in NBA history. However, there is one achievement that stands out above all else – his record-breaking feat of becoming the all-time leading scorer in NBA history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born in 1947 in New York City. He first rose to prominence as a basketball player while attending Power Memorial High School in Manhattan, where he played for the school’s basketball team. It wasn’t long before he became a standout player, attracting the attention of many college recruiters.
Abdul-Jabbar went on to play for the UCLA Bruins in college, where he immediately made an impact. During his time at UCLA, he led the team to three national championships and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament twice. In fact, he was so dominant in college basketball that the NCAA outlawed dunking the ball for almost 10 years due to his ability to do so with ease.
Abdul-Jabbar began his professional career in 1969 after he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks as the first overall pick. His success was immediate, and he was named the Rookie of the Year after his outstanding performance in his first season. He later led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in his third season and also earned his first MVP award that year.
After six seasons with the Bucks, Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for 14 years and won five more championships. Over the course of his career, Abdul-Jabbar was a consistent force on the court and averaged an incredible 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
It was during his time with the Lakers that Abdul-Jabbar made history by breaking the record for the most points scored in NBA history. On April 5th, 1984, he made a skyhook shot, his signature move, that moved him past Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 31,419 career points.
Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989 with an unparalleled career, having scored an astonishing 38,387 points over his 20-year career, a record that still stands to this day. He’s also second on the all-time list for total rebounds with 17,440.
Abdul-Jabbar has been widely recognized for his achievements on and off the court. He has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and his jersey number (33) has been retired by both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. Additionally, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor awarded in the United States, in 2016.
In conclusion, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record-breaking achievement as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history is a testament to his incredible talent and dedication to the game. His legacy as one of the greatest basketball players in history will always be remembered and celebrated by fans of the game worldwide.