A National Basketball Association star from 1975-1989, he became the all-time leading scorer in 1984. Who is he?

The legendary basketball star described is indeed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. He played in the National Basketball Association for two decades, from 1969 to 1989, though the question specifically highlights the period from 1975-1989. A dominant center standing 7 feet 2 inches tall, Abdul-Jabbar became the NBA's all-time leading scorer on April 5, 1984, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's record. This remarkable achievement occurred during a game against the Utah Jazz, where he scored his 31,420th point with his iconic "skyhook" shot.

Abdul-Jabbar's career was marked by incredible success and consistency. He played six seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975, where he spent the final 14 seasons of his career. With the Lakers, he became a central figure in the "Showtime" era, teaming up with Magic Johnson to win five NBA championships in the 1980s. Throughout his career, he won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, was a 19-time NBA All-Star, and was twice named NBA Finals MVP.

His signature move, the "skyhook," was virtually unstoppable due to his height and release point, making him one of the most difficult players to defend. Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. converted to Islam in 1971 and adopted the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which means "generous servant of the Almighty." He retired in 1989 with 38,387 career points, a record that stood for nearly 38 years until surpassed by LeBron James in 2023. His enduring legacy as one of basketball's all-time greats is cemented by his statistical dominance, multiple championships, and innovative offensive game.