UCLA Basketball: 15 best former UCLA basketball players who had the best NBA careers

Top three traits: Shooting ability, physical attributes, and mental toughness

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his legendary career in the NBA, he achieved numerous accomplishments, received various honors, and earned numerous accolades. Here are some of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s notable accomplishments and achievements:

He retired as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, amassing an incredible 38,387 points throughout his career. This record stood until this year when Lebron James became the all-time leading scorer.

Abdul-Jabbar won a total of six NBA championships throughout his career. He won five titles with the Los Angeles Lakers (1980,1982,1985, 1987, and 1988) and one with the Milwaukee Bucks (1971).

He won the NBA MVP award six times (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980). Abdul-Jabbar was selected to the NBA All-Star Game a remarkable 19 times during his career, showcasing his consistent excellence and dominance in the league.

He was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player twice (1971, 1985) in recognition of his outstanding performances in the championship series. Abdul-Jabbar earned All-NBA First Team honors ten times during his career, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier players.

Abdul-Jabbar showcased his defensive prowess by being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times. In his debut season in 1969-1970, Abdul-Jabbar was named the NBA Rookie of the Year, making an immediate impact on the league.

Abdul-Jabbar was rightfully recognized as one of the greatest players in NBA history and was selected to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. Abdul-Jabbar was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his place among the basketball elite.

NBA

His accomplishments, rewards, and achievements:

Six-time NBA champion: 1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988
Two-time NBA Finals MVP: 1971 and 1985
Six-time NBA Most Valuable Player: 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980
Sixth-time NBA scoring champion: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977
Nineteen-time NBA All-Star: 1970–1977, 1979–1989
NBA rebounding champion: 1978
Four-time NBA blocks leader: 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1970
Named to three NBA anniversary teams: 35th, 50th, 75th
Had his No. 33 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
He had his No. 33 retired by Los Angeles Lakers
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: 1995
Fifteen-time All-NBA First Team: 1971–1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
One-time All-NBA Second Team: 1978
Five-time NBA all-Defensive Team: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980

UCLA

Important Achievements and Accomplishments:

Three-time NCAA Champion: 1967, 1968, 1969
Three-time Pac-8 Champion: 1967, 1968, 1969
Three-time named All-American: 1967, 1968, and 1969
Two-time named to the All-Pac-8: 1969, 1970
National Player of the Year: 1967, 1968, 1969
Three-time NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player: 1967–1969
One of the few members of the UCLA 2000 Points Club
Became a member of UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame Member: 1984
Had his #33 Jersey Retired: 1990

Career Stats while Playing at UCLA

Point per game: 26.4
Field Goal %: 63.9
Free Throw %: 62.8
Rebounds per game: 15.5

Before his NBA career, Abdul-Jabbar had an illustrious college basketball career at UCLA. He won three NCAA championships with the Bruins in 1967, 1968, and 1969. He was also a three-time NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player as well as he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Final Four three times (1967, 1968, 1969), an achievement unmatched in college basketball history.

These accomplishments, honors, and achievements highlight Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s incredible impact on the game of basketball and solidify his place as one of the greatest players to have ever graced the NBA.