UCLA will hold “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Day” on Saturday to honor the Bruin basketball legend with festivities that will occur surrounding the Arizona game.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will have his day… which just happens to be this Saturday. UCLA will be celebrating “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Day” before and during the UCLA Basketball team’s game against Arizona.
According to uclabruins.com, “UCLA graduate and icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be honored this Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Bruins’ home basketball game against Arizona after receiving the nation’s highest civilian honor – the Presidential Medal of Freedom – this past November.”
Abdul-Jabbar was among 21 recipients of the award which was given by President Barack Obama.
UCLA to honor Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient @kaj33 at @UCLAMBB game Saturday: https://t.co/30QcS3UPbX #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/lolIOmCBRv
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) January 18, 2017
“The Captain” was honored not just one of the greatest — if not the greatest — basketball players of all time, but was recognized for his work after his pro career advocating for social justice.
Abdul-Jabbar has become an accomplished author in his years after playing with UCLA and the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only has he written and co-written several books, but is also a frequent contributor to many news outlets bringing attention to issues of race, religion and culture.
Before the game, there will be a reception in the Pavilion Club with former players and an auction benefitting Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook Foundation. Fans will also receive a poster of Abdul-Jabbar and students attending will receive a KAJ Day t-shirt. At halftime, UCLA will honor The Captain who will also address the crowd.
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It will be a great day to be out at Pauley Pavilion. Not only will fans be a part of a once in a lifetime celebration of one of the greatest to ever play the game, but fans will also see a great contest pitting Pac-12 rivals UCLA and Arizona against each other. Go Bruins! Go Cap!