How tall is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Basketball player's stature once reminded fans of their 'height deficiency'
| Full name | Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr |
| Date of Birth | April 16, 1947 |
| Age | 76 (as of 2023) |
| Place Birth | New York |
| Height | 7 ft and 2 in (218 cm) |
| Weight | 102kg (225lbs) |
| Net Worth | $25 million |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (m. 1971- 1978) |
| Children | Habiba, Sultana, Kareem Jr, Amir |
MANHATTAN: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the renowned NBA legend, who is an iconic Bruin alumnus, stands at an impressive height of 7 feet and 2 inches, approximately (218 cm / 2.18 m), and has a weight of 102kg (225lbs).
According to an NCAA article, by the age of 11, he was already towering at 6 feet in height. At the time of his arrival at UCLA, Abdul Jabbar measured an imposing 7 feet and 1 inch in height.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar's presence on the basketball court was not only marked by his substantial stature but also by his commanding performance. He exerted his dominance in intercollegiate basketball right from the start of his journey with the Bruins.
In his inaugural year, he guided the freshman team to a resounding victory in UCLA's annual varsity-freshman exhibition game, securing a remarkable 75-60 victory. This momentous win marked the first time in UCLA's history that a freshman team had outperformed the varsity team.
Following his graduation from UCLA in 1969, Abdul Jabbar swiftly transitioned into the NBA. He was the top overall pick for the Milwaukee Bucks and quickly ascended to become the league's premier scorer.
His exceptional performance led to his first MVP title after guiding the Bucks to their inaugural championship in 1971. In that very year, he made a significant personal change by legally adopting his Muslim name, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, replacing his previous name, Lew Alcinor.
Abdul Jabbar's career was adorned with numerous accolades, including six playoff MVP titles, two NBA Finals MVP awards, and an impressive 19 appearances as an All-Star, all culminating in six NBA championships.
The Twitter community often engages in discussions about Kareem Abdul Jabbar's imposing height. His towering stature has frequently served as a reminder to fans of their own "height deficiency."
seeing Kareem Abdul Jabbar only reminded me of my height deficiency
— Anti Lilly (@antililly) February 14, 2014
One user humorously commented, "Seeing Kareem Abdul Jabbar only reminded me of my height deficiency." Another user made a playful comparison, stating, "North Korea's missile launch reached the same height as a Kareem Abdul Jabbar skyhook."
North Korea's missile launch reached the same height as a Kareem Abdul Jabbar skyhook.
— Perry Stroika (@PerryJerisho) April 13, 2012
Is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar taller than Wilt Chamberlain?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stands at an impressive height of 7 feet 2 inches, which is 1 inch taller than Wilt Chamberlain, who was 7 feet 1 inch tall.
Wilt Chamberlain is undeniably considered one of the most dominant players in basketball history, boasting a remarkable statistical resume with numerous records that may never be surpassed.
However, his career is often juxtaposed with that of Bill Russell, another legendary figure from the 1960s NBA era. While Chamberlain was a statistical force, Russell's dominance was predominantly measured by his team's success, with a remarkable 11 championship titles to his name.
Wilt Chamberlain's legacy is sometimes underrated by modern NBA fans, often due to the era in which he played. There's a common misconception that Chamberlain merely dominated the smaller competition, but this narrative is exaggerated.
In fact, during Chamberlain's era, NBA centers were, on average, slightly taller than contemporary centers.
Chamberlain's statistical achievements are remarkable, solidifying his place in NBA history.
Is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar taller than wife Habiba?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's wife, Habiba Abdul-Jabbar (formerly known as Janice Brown), had a notably shorter height compared to Kareem. While Kareem stands at a towering 7 feet 2 inches (218 cm / 2.18 m ), Habiba's height is reported to be around approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm).
Kareem and Habiba were married in 1971 and remained married for seven years until their divorce in 1978. During their marriage, they had three children: two daughters named Habiba and Sultana, and a son named Kareem Jr.
Habiba Abdul-Jabbar, although married to a basketball legend, has maintained a reclusive and private lifestyle, both during her marriage and after her divorce from Kareem.
She legally changed her name to Habiba Abdul-Jabbar when she married the NBA legend. Their relationship began when they met at a Lakers game while Kareem was finishing his senior year at UCLA.