Question 1

True or false: After retiring, Kareem briefly worked as a firefighter in Los Angeles before becoming a writer.

Accepted Answer

False. He never worked as a firefighter. He became a bestselling author and cultural commentator, but that specific job is a fabrication.

Question 2

True or false: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar didn't play college basketball for a major university; he chose a small Jesuit school.

Accepted Answer

False. He played for UCLA under John Wooden, winning three national championships. The small Jesuit school is a myth.

Question 3

True or false: He changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after converting to Islam while still in high school.

Accepted Answer

False. He converted to Islam in college and legally changed his name in 1971, after his rookie NBA season, not in high school.

Question 4

True or false: He was a lead consultant on the Bruce Lee film 'Enter the Dragon' because of their friendship.

Accepted Answer

False. He appeared in 'Game of Death' with Lee, not 'Enter the Dragon.' He was a friend and student of Lee's, but not a consultant.

Question 5

True or false: Kareem holds the NBA record for the most career points scored by a player over the age of 40.

Accepted Answer

True. He scored over 16,000 points after turning 40, more than any other player in NBA history, thanks to his longevity and the skyhook.

Question 6

True or false: Kareem once broke a teammate's jaw with an errant elbow during a practice scrimmage.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1974, his elbow accidentally fractured the jaw of Bucks teammate Jon McGlocklin, requiring surgery. A rare but real incident.

Question 7

True or false: He learned the skyhook from a playground legend in Harlem during his teenage years.

Accepted Answer

False. Abdul-Jabbar developed the skyhook himself in high school, refining it at UCLA. No single playground legend taught it to him.

Question 8

True or false: Abdul-Jabbar never received a technical foul for taunting or trash-talking during his entire career.

Accepted Answer

True. Known for his stoic demeanor, he was rarely penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. His technicals were almost always for arguing calls.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trivia Questions