Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was listed at 7 feet 2 inches tall (about 2.18 meters) during his playing career.

Quick Scoop: Kareem’s Height

  • Official playing height: 7'2" (2.18 m).
  • Weight in his prime was usually listed around 225–240 lbs (102–109 kg).
  • This made him one of the tallest and most dominant centers in NBA history.

A Bit of Backstory

From an early age, Kareem (then Lew Alcindor) was unusually tall for his age. By age 9 he was already about 5'8", and by eighth grade he had grown to around 6'8" and could already dunk. When he arrived at UCLA he was listed at 7'1", and as a pro his official NBA height settled at 7'2".

His towering frame was the perfect foundation for his signature skyhook, a high-arcing shot that was almost impossible to block for defenders several inches shorter. That combination of height, skill, and longevity helped him become one of the greatest players the league has ever seen.

Mini FAQ

  1. How tall was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the NBA?
    He was officially listed at 7'2" (2.18 m).
  1. Was he always that tall?
    No; he grew rapidly as a teen, reaching 6'8" by eighth grade before topping out at his 7'2" playing height.
  1. Did his height change in later life?
    Like many very tall athletes, he may have lost a little height with age, but his iconic listed height remains 7'2".

Simple HTML Table (Height Info)

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Stage</th>
      <th>Listed Height</th>
      <th>Source Note</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Childhood (age 11)</td>
      <td>6'0"</td>
      <td>NCAA/UCLA historical notes.[web:1][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>UCLA</td>
      <td>7'1"</td>
      <td>UCLA profile.[web:1]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>NBA career</td>
      <td>7'2" (2.18 m)</td>
      <td>NBA.com and major stat sites.[web:1][web:3][web:5][web:7][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.