NBA Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar underwent quadruple coronary bypass surgery Thursday at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the hospital said Friday. The Lakers great was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease earlier in the week. A press release from UCLA said, “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 is looking forward to getting back to his normal activities soon.” Dr. Richard Shemin, who performed the operation, said Abdul-Jabbar was expected to make a full recovery. Lakers’ owner and executive Jeanie Buss tweeted, “Dear #Lakers Family: Please send all your positive energy to our Captain-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar @kaj33. Get well soon.” Abdul-Jabbar had the surgery on his 68th birthday. The 7-foot-2 New York native won six NBA championships, five with the Lakers and one with the Milwaukee Bucks. Abdul-Jabbar battled successfully through leukemia in 2009.
