SE: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Inspires K-State Student-Athletes to Think Beyond the Game

By Corbin McGuire

Two years ago, Rhizlane Siba was dreaming out loud. Then a sophomore high jumper for K-State track and field, the native of Morocco was talking about one of her biggest idols, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

"I said, 'It would be my best day if he ever comes to K-State,'" Siba, now a senior, recalled telling her teammates two years ago. "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a big Muslim icon, and he always has been for me.

"When my coach told me we were having Kareem Abdul-Jabbar come in for a panel, I was just screaming for joy. It was a big moment for me."

Abdul-Jabbar gave a special lecture Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum for an event jointly hosted by K-State's Black Student Union, Student Governing Association, Union Program Council and Athletics Department.

Before his main lecture, however, Abdul-Jabbar spoke to K-State's student-athletes, coaches and faculty for about 30 minutes in a question-and-answer format.

"What I enjoyed most was getting the opportunity just to speak with somebody who was regarded as one of the all-time best in their respective area, is the number one points scorer of all time (in the NBA), who was really great and pivotal in the game of basketball," K-State track and field senior Lukas Koch said. "I like to pick people's brains like that. It's fun to see what they went through and how they became who they are through their experiences."

Wearing UCLA socks, the former Bruin also made sure to share his connections to K-State. Abdul-Jabbar played alongside the late K-State legend Bob Boozer with the Milwaukee Bucks, winning an NBA title together in 1971. He also played against and became good friends with Rolando Blackman, another native of New York.

"Trust me, I have nothing against K-State," he joked.

While Abdul-Jabbar's keynote speech later would center on his social justice activism and the country's current climate, his conversation with the Wildcats focused on his experiences as a student-athlete.

"I thought it was a really cool experience, and that it was geared toward student-athletes, especially being someone who's made such an impact on the world and had a really successful career," K-State soccer's Jade Anderson said of Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA Champion, best-selling author, cancer survivor and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "I think it was cool for athletes to see someone in that position who's been through it all and get some advice back from it."

Abdul-Jabbar's advice hit on everything from taking academics seriously, transitioning out of athletics, positively managing success and failure, effectively using an athlete's platform to promote awareness to social justice issues, and finding a balance as a student-athlete between academics and athletics.

"It was just really cool," K-State women's basketball sophomore Peyton Williams said. "For someone like me, who's kind of a big nerd, to hear someone talk about how passionate he was about things other than basketball and how he was really into social justice afterwards as well, it was just really inspiring."

Anderson said Abdul-Jabbar's emphasis on academics as a student-athlete struck a strong chord in her as well.

"That's something I can relate to, that a lot of times as student-athletes it's just about your sport, getting out and trying to play at the next level," she said, "but he really cared and stressed the importance of being proactive in your education and setting yourself up so that when you're done you can transition into something different."

Koch said hearing Abdul-Jabbar's advice about how blocking out unnecessary distractions can be key in developing any type of success resonated with him the most.

"(Sometimes) you forget to live in the moment. You're always, like, 'If I take it easier on this play, I'll be better on practice on Monday.' You're always thinking way, way far ahead, and we lose all of these moments that are here now," Koch said. "He talked about getting rid of the distractions and really helping yourself be in the moment. That's one thing I'll rework through."

Siba may replay the entire 30 minutes in her head over and over, especially the part when she was able to ask one of her icons growing up a question.

"It was a big moment for me to be able to talk to him. He's very inspirational. After his professional career, he still decided to contribute to his community and give back and be positive about himself and be true to who he is," she said. "I thank K-State Athletics a lot for letting us be in touch with such a big icon, and I think everyone today learned a lot. I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity."

Kansas State University Athletics

SE: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Inspires K-State Student-Athletes to Think Beyond the Game

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