Kareem Abdul-Jabbar quotes

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American former professional basketball player, widely considered one of the greatest in NBA history. Renowned for his signature skyhook shot, he holds the record for most points scored in the league for many years. He has also become a prominent author, activist, and cultural ambassador beyond his athletic career. Here are 114 of his quotes:

Your mind is what makes everything else work.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

You have to be able to center yourself, to let all of your emotions go... Don't ever forget that you play with your soul as well as your body.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I would suggest that teachers show their students concrete examples of the negative effects of the actions that gangsta rappers glorify.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

It was my first time away from home, my first experience in an all-black situation, and I found myself being punished for everything I'd ever been taught was right. I got all A's and was hated for it; I spoke correctly and was called a punk. I had to learn a new language simply to deal with the threats. I had good manners, and was a good little boy and paid for it with my hide.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I think that the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Five guys on the court working together can achieve more than five talented individuals who come and go as individuals.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Great players are willing to give up their own personal achievement for the achievement of the group. It enhances everybody.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Fundamental preparation is always effective. Work on those parts of your game that are fundamentally weak.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I try to do the right thing at the right time. They may just be little things, but usually they make the difference between winning and losing.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I can do something else besides stuff a ball through a hoop. My biggest resource is my mind.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I think race has been a burden for black Americans. Being Muslim has also been a challenge because so many people do not understand Islam.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I saw Islam as the correct way to live, and I chose to try to live that way.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

What I have is P.H. positive chronic myeloid leukemia, which is an aberration in your white blood cells.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

When I was 17, I worked in a mentoring program in Harlem designed to improve the community. That's when I first gained an appreciation of the Harlem Renaissance, a time when African-Americans rose to prominence in American culture. For the first time, they were taken seriously as artists, musicians, writers, athletes, and as political thinkers.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I am highly offended by the total lack of acknowledgement of my contribution to Laker success.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I'm not going to disappear.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I expect more people from China and Asia to end up in the NBA.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

When the line started to blur between the fans and the players, sometimes things can get ugly.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I felt that a number of people might have questioned my loyalty, but I continue to be a patriotic American.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I have been coaching recently. I coached high school basketball in Arizona, and I hope that more opportunities become available.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I feel that there has been progress made since I was a boy on matters of race, but we have a long way to go.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I wanted to play baseball!

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar