Athletes & Sports Icons · Head-to-head
George Best vs Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Yes — based on their recorded years, George Best (1946–2005) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born 1947) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
George Best
George Best was a Northern Irish footballer widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, celebrated for his dribbling skill during his career at Manchester United.
Key achievements
- Became a star winger for Manchester United during the 1960s and early 1970s.
- Won the Ballon d'Or in 1968, recognizing him as Europe's best footballer that year.
- Helped Manchester United win the European Cup in 1968.
- Is widely regarded as one of the most skillful dribblers in the history of football.
Fast fact
Best's combination of skill and off-field fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s led to him being called football's first genuine 'pop star' athlete, a level of celebrity unusual for footballers of that era.
Full profile of George Best →Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played center in the NBA for 20 seasons, becoming the league's all-time leading scorer for decades and one of the most decorated players in basketball history.
Key achievements
- Played center in the NBA for 20 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
- Held the NBA's all-time career scoring record for nearly four decades.
- Won six NBA championships and six Most Valuable Player awards during his career.
- Developed the 'skyhook,' one of the most effective and difficult-to-block shots in basketball history.
Fast fact
Abdul-Jabbar held the NBA's all-time career scoring record for nearly 39 years after his retirement, until it was finally broken by LeBron James in 2023.
Full profile of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar →Who lived first, George Best or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
George Best (1946–2005) lived first, before Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born 1947), based on their recorded years.
Were George Best and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar contemporaries?
Yes — based on their recorded years, George Best (1946–2005) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born 1947) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
What do George Best and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have in common?
Both George Best and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are grouped among our Athletes & Sports Icons figures and lived during the Modern Era.