The UCLA Black Alumni Association and the UCLA Afrikan Student Uion invite you to attend a conversation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hosted by Tyus Edney from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, in UCLA’s Pauley Pavillion.
Part memoir and part inspirational, Abdul-Jabbar’s “Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court” explores Abdul-Jabbar’s relationship with John the “Wizard of Westwood” Wooden, UCLA basketball coach and 10-time NCAA National Championship winner. The duo were brought together by the game of basketball and formed one of the most enduring and meaningful relationships in sports history.
“Coach Wooden and Me” is filled with untold stories about the famous pair, including private correspondences and exclusive interviews with teammates, coaches, friends and family on Wooden's impact, both on and off the court.
In 1965, 18-year old Abdul-Jabbar, born Lew Alcindor, left New York City to play basketball for coach John Wooden at UCLA.
On the court, Abdul-Jabbar led UCLA to three national championships, and was named the Outstanding Player in the NCAA for each of those years, a feat that has yet to be matched in college basketball. Wooden coached UCLA for 27 seasons and won more championships than any other coach in history.
Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar and Wooden transcended their athletic achievements to gain even wider recognition and tremendous national respect. At the height of the civil rights era, Wooden made sure that every player on his team received equal opportunities and treatment. Even when Abdul-Jabbar sparked controversy by adopting the Muslim faith and changing his name, Wooden was there to support him.
Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Since retiring, he has acted, coached basketball, and authored many New York Times bestsellers. Abdul-Jabbar is also a columnist for news outlets such as the Washington Post,The New York Times, TIME Magazine and the Hollywood Reporter, writing on race, politics, age and pop culture, among other topics. In 2012, he was selected as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, the nation’s highest civilian award which recognizes exceptional meritorious service.
A former professional basketball player and current assistant coach at UCLA, Tyus Edney will host the event and conversation. Edney was the point guard for UCLA from 1991 to 1995, leading the Bruins to the 1995 NCAA National Championship, UCLA’s last championship win. His game-winning shot for UCLA in the second round of the 1995 championship is considered to be one of the most famous plays in NCAA tournament history.
Register online. A book signing immediately follows the talk. For more information, contact Michelle Johnson at 310-488-1818, or via email at events@uclablackalumni.org.