NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is recovering after undergoing surgery for a broken hip. His procedure was completed with “no complications,” and he is expected to be in recovery for three months, his business partner and spokeswoman, Deborah Morales, told The Associated Press on Monday.
Abdul-Jabbar was hospitalized after falling at a concert in Los Angeles on Dec. 15.
“Last night, while attending a concert, Kareem had an accidental fall and broke his hip. He will have surgery today,” Morales wrote on Twitter via Abdul-Jabbar’s account after the incident. “We are all deeply appreciative of all the support for Kareem, especially from the Los Angeles Fire Department who assisted Kareem on site, and the amazing medical team and doctors at UCLA Hospital who are taking great care of Kareem now.”
Abdul-Jabbar’s long-time teammate, Magic Johnson, also took to social media to issue a message in the aftermath.
“I’m wishing my Showtime teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a speedy recovery after falling and breaking his hip! Praying for the Captain!” Johnson wrote on Twitter.
This is the latest in what’s been a series of health issues that Abdul-Jabbar has dealt with over the years, which also includes leukemia, prostate cancer and heart bypass surgery.
Abdul-Jabbar had one of the most decorated NBA careers in league history, winning six championships and six league MVP awards to go along with 19 All-Star Game selections. He has the most MVPs in NBA history, and is tied with current Lakers star LeBron James for the All-Star record.
His illustrious resume extends off the court as well, where he has been just as impactful, if not more so. Abdul-Jabbar has been a prominent activist and author throughout his life, using his platform to speak on and advance a variety of issues, ranging from equality for Black people in America to the need for college athletes to be compensated.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 1969 NBA Draft, Abdul-Jabbar spent 20 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. His iconic No. 33 is retired by both teams.
During the Bucks’ win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday, Giannis Antetokounmpo passed Abdul-Jabbar to become the franchise’s all-time leading rebounder with 7,165.
“It’s a big compliment. Nobody can ever take this away from you,” Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t think anybody assumed … That a kid from Greece, a skinny kid from Greece that was drafted, supposed to play in the G League, would be in a position to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record.”
