After converting to Islam in 1971, he changed his name from Lew Alcindor Jr. to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. ... King, Abdul-Jabbar says that by choosing to speak out on social and political issues when he an athlete, he was made to "pay the price for it" and was seen as "being a little bit militant."

When did Kareem change his name?

After the Bucks swept the Baltimore Bullets in four games, Alcindor was voted the Finals MVP. A Muslim since his college days, Alcindor legally changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the fall of 1971. Many fans were outraged.

What was Kareem I'll do Jabbar's name before he changed it?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. on April 16, 1947) is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach. He was known as Lew Alcindor before changing his name in the fall of 1971, several years after converting to Islam.