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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Honored with the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award

By Mike Regalado

Jul 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks during the 2016 Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY NETWORK
Jul 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks during the 2016 Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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UCLA Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was honored by Sports Illustrated as he received the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.

One of the greatest to ever play on the hardwood has just been honored with an award named after “The Greatest” himself. UCLA Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (aka Lew Alcincor) has just received the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award which honors individuals for their “athletic achievement and leadership as social activists”.

The award was given by Sports Illustrated at the 2016 Sportsman of the Year Ceremony. The Bruin legend received the award along with NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown and 11-time NBA Champion Bill Russell.

Abdul-Jabbar had told Sports Illustrated, “To receive an award in his name is especially moving because it means I am honoring his legacy as a man who defied conventions and courageously risked life and career to making America a land of freedom, equal opportunity and social justice.”

As a basketball player, Abdul-Jabbar ruled the court from his three championships at UCLA to his NBA all-time scoring record (38,387 points). As a social activist, Abdul-Jabbar has addressed issues that cross social and political boundaries and has been a voice for equality.

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This is the second such award Abdul-Jabbar has received in the last month as he was recently honored with the Presidental Medal of Freedom Award by President Barack Obama.