Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the most celebrated figures in basketball history, auctioned off four of his NBA championship rings, along with three MVP trophies and other memorabilia in 2019.
He then donated the approximately $2.9 million generated from the auction to youth education services.
How often do you hear about a selfless sacrifice like that? Not often.
“Everybody needs to contribute what they can,” Kareem said before, as he often did on the basketball court, leading by example.
“Great players are willing to give up their own personal achievement for the achievement of the group,” he said at the time. “It enhances everybody.”
Nothing demonstrates giving up personal achievements for the good of a community more than a man willing to part with awards that represent the pinnacle of his NBA career just to make others’ lives better.
The nearly $3 million was donated to Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook Foundation charity that helps kids learn about science, technology, engineering, and math.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: One Of The All-Time Greats On And Off The Court
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the all-time greats in the game. He had an illustrious career spanning 20 seasons from 1969 to 1989, primarily with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Abdul-Jabbar held the record for the most points scored in NBA history when he retired from the game in 1989. LeBron James would later eclipse that record last season.
Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships. Beyond his scoring prowess, he was a six-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996.
Abdul-Jabbar’s signature shot, known as the “skyhook,” was a highly effective and almost unblockable move where he would pivot on one foot while extending the ball upwards in a sweeping arc with one hand.
The skyhook combined his height and reach with finesse, allowing him to score over defenders with remarkable consistency. It became one of the most iconic shots in basketball history.
When he announced the move to sell his memorabilia, the former Lakers great didn’t seem upset about his prized possessions going elsewhere.
“When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple,” he said. “Sell it all.”
Amazing!
RELATED: Jason Whitlock Slams LeBron James, Lakers for Bronny Fiasco
Relaunching Kareem’s Signature Shoe
As long as we’re taking a stroll down memory lane, we might as well cover the fact that Adidas has relaunched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s retro basketball sneakers.
The company announced that they are reintroducing the Jabbar – OG Royal Blue in both high and low versions.
The sneakers, originally launched in 1978, feature Kareem’s face on the tongue, making it the first basketball sneaker to do so.
The Jabbar – OG Royal Blue Hi retails at $110, while the Lo version is $100. They’ll both be available starting October 18, 2024, from adidas.com and select retailers.
More about:NBA News