Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recovers from quadruple coronary bypass surgery
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for the UCLA men’s basketball team from 1967 to 1969 under his former name, Lew Alcindor. During his three years competing as a Bruin, the center led UCLA to three NCAA championships. (Daily Bruin file photo)
By Aubrey Yeo
April 17, 2015 3:20 p.m.
Former UCLA men’s basketball player and Los Angeles Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar underwent a quadruple coronary bypass surgery on Thursday at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, according to a UCLA press release.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Richard Shemin, UCLA’s chief of cardiac surgery, who said he expects Abdul-Jabbar to make a full recovery.
In the statement, Abdul-Jabbar thanked his surgical team and the medical staff at UCLA for the care he received at the hospital.
Abdul-Jabbar played for the UCLA men’s basketball team from 1967 to 1969 under his former name, Lew Alcindor. During his three years competing as a Bruin, the center led UCLA to three NCAA championships. He also won three U.S. intercollegiate men’s basketball Player of the Year awards under the tutelage of UCLA coach John Wooden.
After graduating from UCLA, Abdul-Jabbar went on to a career in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, accruing six NBA championships and six MVP awards in 20 seasons. Abdul-Jabbar was known for his unstoppable “skyhook,” which contributed to him ending his career as the NBA’s all-time points leader with 38,387 points.
Compiled by Aubrey Yeo, Bruin Sports senior staff.
