Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Admitted to Hospital with Broken Hip After Fall
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suffered a fall during a concert in Los Angeles, resulting in a broken hip that required hospitalization, as reported by TMZ.
The former Lakers star accidentally tumbled to the floor, leading to the hip fracture. Paramedics transported Abdul-Jabbar to the hospital; he was scheduled for surgery Saturday, his representative Deborah Morales told CNN.
“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,” Morales said.
Abdul-Jabbar, 76, has faced health challenges in recent years. In 2020, he shared his battle with prostate cancer, and in 2009, he revealed his diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
He started playing in the NBA in 1969 with the Milwaukee Bucks but is best known for his key role in the Los Angeles Lakers during the dominant "Showtime" era in the 1980s, securing five NBA championships for the team.
Standing at 7-foot-2, he wore distinctive goggles and held the NBA's all-time scoring record for 39 years until LeBron James surpassed it in February. A six-time NBA MVP, Abdul-Jabbar is also a social activist and writer.
In a 2020 essay advocating for improved healthcare for Black Americans, the Harlem-born star penned a piece for WebMD, emphasizing that despite facing various illnesses, he considers himself luckier than most Black men in overcoming each one.
“I’ve been fortunate because my celebrity has brought me enough financial security to receive excellent medical attention. No one wants an NBA legend dying on their watch. Imagine the Yelp reviews,” he wrote.
Abdul-Jabbar acknowledged the advantage of having two sons in medical fields.
“While I’m grateful for my advantages, I’m acutely aware that many others in the Black community do not have the same options, and it is my responsibility to join with those fighting to change that. Because Black lives are at risk. Serious risk,” he wrote.
