EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA MVP and the leading career scorer in
league history, has been hired by the team as a special assistant
coach.
The 58-year-old Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for 20 seasons --
six with the Milwaukee Bucks and 14 with the Lakers. He scored
38,387 points before retiring in 1989.
"We are pleased to welcome Kareem back to the organization."
general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement issued Friday.
"Kareem was one of the best centers to ever play the game. His
skills and talent on the court were truly remarkable and we look
forward to having Kareem help our big men develop these skills and
tutor them on what it takes to be a successful player in this
league."
The Lakers picked 17-year-old high school center Andrew Bynum
with the 10th overall pick in the NBA draft two months ago.
Abdul-Jabbar, who led the John Wooden-coached UCLA Bruins to
three NCAA championships, was the first overall selection in the
1969 draft by the Bucks and was a 19-time NBA All-Star.
The Lakers said Abdul-Jabbar will begin work immediately. He
will accompany the team to Hawaii for training camp and work with
the players at all home practices.
Abdul-Jabbar led the Bucks to the NBA championship in 1971, and
was a member of five championship teams with the Lakers during the
1980s.
He worked briefly as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles
Clippers at the end of the 1999-2000 season and most recently was a
scout for the New York Knicks.