John Wooden U.S. Stamp Unveiled by UCLA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Erin WalshFebruary 25, 2024
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
A U.S. stamp honoring longtime UCLA head coach John Wooden was unveiled by former Bruin and Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Saturday at the university’s campus.
Wooden, who was head coach of UCLA from 1948-1975, helped guide the program to a record 10 national titles in the 1960s and ’70s. Abdul-Jabbar played for Wooden from 1966-1969, winning three straight national championships as a Bruin.
“There’s only one thing I can say and that’s, ‘Thank you, Coach,'” Abdul-Jabbar said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). “You gave it to us on both ends, you made us champs and you made us understand life. I don’t think any coach can do better than that.”
The stamp shows Wooden with two players in the background wearing Nos. 4 and 10. The four represents the number of undefeated seasons under Wooden and 10 for the number of national championship he won with the program.
Gene Block @UCLAchancellorHad an amazing day at @UCLA celebrating the launch of the @USPS’ newest stamp honoring Coach John Wooden. His impact on the Bruin community, both on and off the court, is unmatched. Thank you, Coach, for your enduring wisdom. đđđ #JohnWoodenStamp pic.twitter.com/7C1UH0y9xn
Wooden is the second college basketball coach to be honored with his own U.S. stamp, joining James Naismith, who invented the game and coached Kansas from 1898-1907.
Around 18 million Wooden stamps were created, according to the Associated Press.
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