Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Family Tree: The Story Behind the NBA's Skyhook Legend

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.), born 16 April 1947 in New York City, USA, is an American former NBA superstar — 6 NBA Championships (Milwaukee Bucks 1971; LA Lakers 1980, 82, 85, 87, 88); 6× NBA MVP (record); 2× Finals MVP; 19× All-Star; the all-time leading scorer until LeBron James passed him in February 2023.

The Family's Roots: An African-American Family in Harlem

The Alcindor family is from Harlem, New York; father was a NYC Transit Authority police officer.

His Parents

Father: Ferdinand Lewis "Al" Alcindor Sr. — NYC Transit Authority police officer; jazz musician (Juilliard).

Mother: Cora Lillian Alcindor — department store price checker.

His Ex-Wife: Habiba Abdul-Jabbar

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (née Janice Brown) — American. Married Kareem on 28 May 1971 (both converted to Islam); divorced 1978.

Their Children

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar, born 1972 — daughter.

Sultana Abdul-Jabbar, born 1979 — daughter.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jr., born 1976 — son.

His Children (with Cheryl Pistono)

Amir Abdul-Jabbar, born 1983 — son with girlfriend Cheryl Pistono.

Adam Abdul-Jabbar, born 1993 — son with girlfriend/companion.

The Abdul-Jabbar Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr. — NYC Transit officer.

Mother: Cora Lillian Alcindor.

Ex-Wife: Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (m. 28 May 1971, div. 1978).

Children (Habiba): Habiba (b. 1972); Kareem Jr. (b. 1976); Sultana (b. 1979).

Children (relationships): Amir (b. 1983); Adam (b. 1993).

Marital Status: Never remarried.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:

  • Born 16 April 1947, Harlem
  • Power Memorial Academy, NYC — 71-1 in 3 varsity years
  • UCLA 1966-69 (John Wooden) — 3 consecutive NCAA titles; 3× NCAA MOP
  • Drafted 1st overall 1969 (Milwaukee Bucks)
  • 6 NBA Championships: 1971 (Bucks), 1980, 82, 85, 87, 88 (Lakers)
  • 6 NBA MVPs: 1971, 72, 74, 76, 77, 80 (record)
  • 2× Finals MVP: 1971, 85; 19× All-Star
  • All-time leading scorer: 38,387 points (passed by LeBron February 2023)
  • 1975 name change: from Lew Alcindor to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (converted to Islam)
  • Signature move: skyhook
  • Retired 1989 (20 seasons)
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom: 2016

What the Abdul-Jabbar Family Story Teaches Us

A Juilliard-trained jazz-musician cop father. A department-store mother. One 7-year marriage. Five children by three relationships. A career of 6 titles, 6 MVPs, and 38,387 points that stood as the NBA record for 38 years.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Kareem story carries the same lesson. Some careers hold the sport's most-important record for 38 years.

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