December 17, (THEWILL) – Legendary NBA player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, broke his hip Friday night after a fall at a Los Angeles concert. The 76-year-old Hall of Famer underwent surgery Saturday morning to repair the injury, according to a statement from his business partner Deborah Morales.
Abdul-Jabbar played 20 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, retiring in 1989 as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,387 total points. He was also a six-time NBA champion, winning his first title with the Bucks in 1971 alongside Oscar Robertson, and the remaining five with the Showtime Lakers in the 1980s alongside Magic Johnson and James Worthy.
The LA Fire Department assisted the basketball icon at the concert venue before he was transported to UCLA Hospital. Doctors confirmed Abdul-Jabbar fractured his hip from the fall and required immediate surgery, which he underwent Saturday morning. His business partner offered gratitude to the first responders and medical staff treating the NBA legend.
Over the past decade, Abdul-Jabbar has faced several health issues that require treatment. In 2009, he announced a leukaemia diagnosis, and in 2015 underwent quadruple bypass surgery for cardiovascular disease. Most recently, in February 2023, Abdul-Jabbar detailed his atrial fibrillation diagnosis and urged people to monitor their health.
Abdul-Jabbar has maintained an active public profile since retirement, writing books, engaging in social activism, and providing basketball analysis on major TV networks. At age 76, he remains one of the most iconic figures in NBA history.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
