Lew Alcindor

American college basketball center who dominated at UCLA, winning three consecutive NCAA championships and revolutionizing the center position.

Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. — later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — was born in New York City in 1947. He attended UCLA under coach John Wooden and became the most dominant player in college basketball history. He won three consecutive national championships (1967, 1968, 1969) — going 88-2 across his three varsity seasons. He was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player all three times — the only player to achieve this. He averaged 26.4 points and 15.5 rebounds per game across his UCLA career and won the Naismith Award as the national player of the year twice. The NCAA introduced the dunk ban in 1967 specifically because of his dominance — the rule was colloquially known as the Alcindor Rule and was in effect from 1967 to 1976. Despite the ban he averaged 26.4 points using the hook shot and other moves. He was so dominant that opposing teams routinely scored fewer than 50 points against UCLA. He converted to Islam in 1971, changing his name. His three-year UCLA career is the gold standard for college basketball dominance — a player so superior to his competition that the sport changed its rules to try to contain him.

Alcindor dominated with his exceptional height, length, and mobility for a 7-footer. He perfected the skyhook shot that became virtually unstoppable, using his size and timing to score over defenders. His defensive presence was equally impressive, altering shots and controlling the paint with superior positioning and basketball IQ.

Alcindor transformed college basketball by demonstrating how a skilled big man could completely dominate the game, leading to rule changes including the ban on dunking during his era. His UCLA dynasty under John Wooden established the template for sustained excellence in college basketball.

• National Championship 3x (1967, 1968, 1969)
• Tournament MOP 3x
• Naismith Award
• Player of the Year 2x