Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Undergoes Heart Surgery, Expected To Make Full Recovery
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Legendary Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing quadruple coronary-bypass surgery this week, health officials said Friday.
The 68-year-old Abdul-Jabbar was admitted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with cardiovascular disease and underwent surgery Thursday, according to a UCLA Health spokesman.
"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," according to a statement from UCLA Health.
A tweet from the Los Angeles Lakers said: "Keep @kaj33 in your thoughts after he underwent quadruple bypass surgery this morning."
An NBA Hall-of-Famer, Abdul-Jabbar played 20 seasons in all with the Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers, retiring in 1989.
The 19-time All-Star and six-time league MVP won six NBA Finals - five with the Lakers - during his career.
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