NBA all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is currently recovering from major open heart surgery performed Thursday in Los Angeles.

The UCLA Health System released a statement Friday revealing that
the Hall of Fame center underwent quadruple coronary bypass surgery
on his 68th birthday. The procedure was performed at Ronald Reagan
UCLA Medical Center by UCLA chief of cardiac surgery Richard
Shemin, who said Abdul-Jabbar is expected to make a complete
recovery.

"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," the statement read.

"He is looking forward to getting back to his normal activities
soon. He asks that you keep him in your thoughts and, most
importantly, cherish and live each day to its fullest."

One of the most prolific players in NBA history, Abdul-Jabbar
earned six league MVP awards during his 20-year playing career and
won six world titles with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles
Lakers. He was named an All-Star 19 times and finished his career
with 38,387 points.

Abdul-Jabbar was previously diagnosed with chronic myelogenous
leukemia in 2008, but announced in 2011 that the disease is in
remission. (Metro Networks Inc.)

 

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