Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Heart Operations News, Update: Hall of Famer Recovering From Quadruple Bypass
Retired NBA player and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is now recovering following the quadruple coronary bypass surgery operation on Thursday, April 16.
An official press release from UCLA Newsroom indicated that the six-time NBA Most Valuable Player was admitted to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles last week with cardiovascular disease. The major cardiovascular surgery was carried out by Dr. Richard Shemin, the institute's chief of cardiac surgery.
As confirmed by the hospital, the operation was "successful" and the 68-year-old is now expecting "to make a full recovery."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"At this time, Abdul-Jabbar would like to thank his surgical team and the medical staff at UCLA, his alma mater, for the excellent care he has received. He is looking forward to getting back to his normal activities soon," the statement further read. "He asks that you keep him in your thoughts and, most importantly, cherish and live each day to its fullest."
The 7-foot-2-inch New York native made his debut in the popular professional basketball league with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969 where he spent six seasons.
His incredible talents, including his famous sky hook shot, were featured further during his transfer with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975. He stayed with the franchise for 14 seasons until his retirement in 1989.
The athlete, who was given the birth name Lewis Alcindor Jr., won six NBA championships to which five he shared with the Lakers and one with the Bucks.
Sounding off their support to the great player and former team member, Lakers's owner and executive Jeanie Buss took to her social media to say:
"Dear #Lakers Family: Please send all your positive energy to our Captain-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar @kaj33. Get well soon."
