I wrote a history book in 1996. This was just an overall view of black history. It was called "Black Profiles in Courage." The whole idea was to get people to see that President Kennedy's book was not complete. The quote I have in the book that I usually go back to is "I'd rather be a lamppost in Harlem than Governor of Georgia." People don't understand a black American saying that, but it's so true... being someplace that you are accepted and encouraged to be at your best. 
-- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
someplace that you are accepted and encouraged to be at your best. -- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Fredrick Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr, was born larger than life. On April 16, 1947 he came into the world at an impressive 22.5" and weighed more than 12 pounds.
Abdul-Jabbar attended UCLA and was an integral part of one of the most impressive runs in NCAA history. During his three years, freshman were not allowed to play at the time, UCLA went 88-2 and won the National Championship every year. He was a three-time First Team All-American, three-time Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament, two-time Player of the Year and the first-ever Naismith College Player of the Year. After the 1967 season, dunking was actually banned in college basketball because of Kareem's
dominance.
Kareem turned down $1 million from the Harlem Globetrotters and was the first overall selection in the 1969 NBA Draft. He was also the first draft pick of the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association. The Milwaukee Bucks were able to offer more money and Abdul-Jabbar joined the NBA.
Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history with over 38,000 points. He won six NBA titles, six regular season MVPs and two Finals MVP awards. He played for 20 seasons and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players of All Time.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Fredrick Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr, was born larger than life. On April 16, 1947 he came into the world at an impressive 22.5" and weighed more than 12 pounds.
Abdul-Jabbar attended UCLA and was an integral part of one of the most impressive runs in NCAA history. During his three years, freshman were not allowed to play at the time, UCLA went 88-2 and won the National Championship every year. He was a three-time First Team All-American, three-time Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament, two-time Player of the Year and the first-ever Naismith College Player of the Year. After the 1967 season, dunking was actually banned in college basketball because of Kareem's
dominance.
Kareem turned down $1 million from the Harlem Globetrotters and was the first overall selection in the 1969 NBA Draft. He was also the first draft pick of the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association. The Milwaukee Bucks were able to offer more money and Abdul-Jabbar joined the NBA.
Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history with over 38,000 points. He won six NBA titles, six regular season MVPs and two Finals MVP awards. He played for 20 seasons and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players of All Time.
