NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is staying in an LA hospital following an “accidental fall” that broke his hip on Friday, Dec. 15.
“Last night, while attending a concert, Kareem had an accidental fall and broke his hip,” Abdul-Jabbar’s business partner, Deborah Morales, told PEOPLE in a statement. He will have surgery today.”
“We are all deeply appreciative of all the support for Kareem, especially from the Los Angeles Fire Department who assisted Kareem on site, and the amazing medical team and doctors at UCLA Hospital who are taking great care of Kareem now,” she concluded.
TMZ first shared the news and reported that paramedics gave Kareem Abdul-Jabbar emergency care on-site. Morales did not share which concert Abdul-Jabbar was attending.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Medical Emergency Follows Several Health Scares.
The scare follows a series of medical issues for the 76-year-old, including prostate cancer, a heart bypass surgery, and leukemia. In a 2020 Web MD essay, Abdul-Jabbar expressed that he felt lucky to have survived his many conditions.
“I’ve been fortunate because my celebrity has brought me enough financial security to receive excellent medical attention,” he wrote. “…But while I’m grateful for my advantages, I’m acutely aware that many others in the Black community do not have the same options and that it is my responsibility to join with those fighting to change that. Because Black lives are at risk. Serious risk.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played 20 seasons split between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. During that time, he was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player six times.
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