Kareem Abdul-Jabbar awarded UC Presidential Medal

"I remember when Kareem started out at UCLA," said President Drake, speaking at a ceremony honoring Mr. Abdul-Jabbar on September 19 in Los Angeles. "He was already a legend, and many of us were excited to see if he would live up to the hype. Well, he did."

In his first appearance as a Bruin in 1966, Abdul-Jabbar broke the university's record for points scored in a single game. He went on to lead the squad to three consecutive NCAA titles before embarking on an earth-shattering 20-year career in the NBA. He's a six-time NBA champion and the league's first and only six-time MVP, and he held the scoring record for nearly 40 years.

"Many of us remember and appreciate Mr. Abdul-Jabbar's unparalleled skill on the basketball court," President Drake said. "But his success in life and his influence really transcended the sport."

Writing, advocacy and leadership

Mr. Abdul-Jabbar graduated from UCLA in 1969 with a degree in history and he returned to the field following his retirement from the NBA. He's an award-winning columnist and author of over a dozen books, many of which delve into achievements and contributions of people of color in U.S. history. His 2017 book about his relationship with UCLA's head basketball coach John Wooden, "Coach Wooden and Me," was a New York Times bestseller.

From left, UCLA basketball coach John Wooden with four freshman All-American recruits: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lynn Shackleford, Kenny Heitz, and Lucius Allen. Credit: Los Angeles Times

"My UC experience gave me a career in basketball, but it also gave me a second career as a writer of articles, books and scripts. I wouldn't have had the confidence - or the skills - to pursue writing if not for the encouragement of my professors," said Mr. Abdul-Jabbar in remarks at the event celebrating the UC Presidential Medal. "Coach John Wooden taught me the fundamentals of basketball, but all my other professors taught me how to reason, how to follow my curiosity, and how to articulate my thoughts and passions."

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar addresses guests at the ceremony celebrating his UC Presidential Medal on September 19 at UCLA.

It was the dedication of his UCLA professors, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar said, that inspired him to become an advocate for educational equality, creating the Skyhook Foundation - named after his signature offensive maneuver - to create opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math for youth in underserved communities.

His writing, advocacy and leadership have earned Mr. Abdul-Jabbar many accolades, including the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throughout, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar has consistently supported his alma mater, with a particular focus on improving health and preventing disease.

During the pandemic, he donated 900 pairs of safety goggles to frontline medical workers. In partnership with UCLA Health, he's launched initiatives to improve health and prevent disease. He has also served as UCLA Health fundraising team captain, drumming up support for a cure for blood cancers. And in 2023, he joined the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Board of Advisors, with the goal of improving health care for marginalized people in the Los Angeles area.

UCLA's Dr. Eric Esrailian and Mr. Abdul-Jabbar with 900 pairs of safety goggles he donated for frontline health care workers during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.Credit:UCLA

Inspiring UC students and young people the world over

Altogether, President Drake said, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar's life and work has "illuminated new pathways for others. He has been an icon and a role model, inspiring countless young Black men to excel both in academics and athletics, to live by their values, and to contribute to their communities."

"If you're going to stand on shoulders," President Drake continued, "you should pick someone who is seven feet tall."