Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Awards & Honours
23
Awards Won
8
Honours
4
Rankings
3
Covers
4
Records
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's basketball achievements are historic in both breadth and depth. He is the only player to win six NBA MVP awards, and his six NBA championships place him among the most decorated winners in league history. He held the NBA all-time scoring record for 39 years, finishing with 38,387 points, and also ranks among the leaders in rebounds, blocks, and games played. His three NCAA titles at UCLA and his record of being named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player three times remain unmatched. Off the court, his Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes his contributions to American culture and civil rights.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
Inducted as a player.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Awarded by President Barack Obama.
NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Named to the league's all-time team.
NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
Named to the league's 50 greatest players.
NBA 35th Anniversary Team
Named to the league's 35 greatest players.
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Honored for contributions to entertainment.
U.S. Department of State's International Exchange of Ideas Award
Recognized for cultural diplomacy.
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Awarded for lifetime achievement.
Rankings & Lists
NBA's 50 Greatest Players
Top 50 NBA Players of All Time
Top 74 NBA Players
Top 75 NBA Players
Magazine Covers
Sports Illustrated
1984
The Greatest
Time Magazine
1970
The Skyhook
Newsweek
1975
The Quiet Giant
Records & Feats
Most NBA MVP Awards (6)
Won the NBA Most Valuable Player award six times, more than any other player.
NBA All-Time Scoring Leader (38,387 points)
Held the record for most career points in NBA history from 1984 until 2023.
Most Seasons Played (20) at Time of Retirement
Played 20 NBA seasons, tied for the longest career at the time of his retirement in 1989.
Only Player to Win NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Three Times
Won the award in each of his three NCAA championship seasons at UCLA.