Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar celebrated his 68th birthday at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center getting quadruple coronary bypass surgery.
UCLA’s chief of cardiac surgery Dr. Richard Shemin expects that the seven-foot former center will make a full recovery. “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 said in a statement released Friday. Shemin added that Jabbar “is looking forward to getting back to his normal activities soon.”
In 2009 Jabbar was diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia. He successfully battled the malady and is now free and clear of the illness.
The Daily Bulletin reported that several former teammates and members of the Lakers organization tweeted that they hope Jabbar is as successful with fighting cardio vascular disease as he was in combating leukemia.
“Wishing a speedy recovery to my big brother, great friend & “The Captain,’” tweeted Magic Johnson, who played with Abdul-Jabbar sharing five NBA championships. “Get well soon!”
Lakers president Jeanie Buss tweeted, “Dear Lakers Family: Please send all your positive energy to our Captain-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Get well soon!”