Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Volunteers As High School Basketball Coach On Indian Reservation In Arizona

Jet, Nov 23, 1998

NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has signed on as assistant basketball coach for Alchesay High School in the heart of the Apache Indian Reservation, in Whiteriver, AZ.

Abdul-Jabbar, the former Los Angeles Lakers star who was known for his sky hook, decided to volunteer his expertise after he visited the area to research a book.

For his five-month salary of $1, Abdul-Jabbar hopes to use the game to show players there is a way to escape the hopelessness that seems to surround them due to poverty and lack of economic opportunities.

"Hopefully, we will be able to change some of that and show them a way to get beyond those circumstances. If I can do it coming from Harlem, the kids here can do it also," he said.

Abdul-Jabbar first went to the reservation in 1995 when he researched the Buffalo Soldiers for his book Black Profiles in Courage.

Moved by Gen. Colin Powell's call for volunteerism, he decided to move to the White Mountains for a winter. He has rented a house and will stay until March.

Head coach Raul Mendoza gave his approval, and the players say they are learning a lot from him.

A hands-on teacher, Abdul-Jabbar, 51, even joined in the wind sprints. "That was a near-death experience," he said. "I still can run pretty fast, but definitely not as long. I lasted about 35 seconds, and then they were ready to call the paramedics."