Alcindor

Alcindor is a surname most prominently associated with Lew Alcindor, who became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after converting to Islam. He is an American former professional basketball player and a widely cited figure in sports and culture.

Born Lew Alcindor on April 16, 1947, in New York City, he rose to national prominence at Power Memorial Academy before starring at the University of California, Los Angeles. At UCLA, he led the Bruins to three consecutive NCAA championships (1967–1969) and established himself as one of the dominant college players of his era.

In 1969, Alcindor began his NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and helped the franchise win its first championship in 1971. He later played for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he added five more titles. Over a 20-year career, he earned six regular-season Most Valuable Player awards and was selected as an NBA All-Star 19 times. He retired in 1989 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.

After converting to Islam in the late 1960s, Alcindor adopted the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, under which he played for the remainder of his career and in retirement. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in basketball history, noted for scoring, defense, and longevity. He held the NBA’s all-time scoring record for many years until LeBron James surpassed it in 2023. Beyond basketball, Abdul-Jabbar has written books and engaged in public advocacy, including memoirs such as Becoming Kareem (2020).