LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Lakers great, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the man formally known as Lew Alcindor, was diagnosed last December with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Abdul-Jabbar, who was known for his unstoppable “sky-hook” shot is the leading scorer in NBA history, said his doctor conveyed promising news to him saying, “You have a very good chance to live your life out and not have to make any drastic changes to your lifestyle.”

Similar to how Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson brought awareness to HIV after contacting the disease in the mid-90’s, Kareem wants to do the same with his disease.

“I’ve never been a person to share my private life. But I can help save lives,” said Kareem. “It’s incumbent on someone like me to talk about this.”

Below is the cover of a March, 1969 Sports Illustrated edition after the young Alcindor led his UCLA team to the national title. 

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