Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Sells Oriental Rugs in Evanston

EVANSTON, IL - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the best basketball players to ever hit the hardwood. The winner of six NBA championships, three NCAA titles and the recipient of numerous awards, Abdul-Jabbar is in the conversation with Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson as perhaps the greatest of all-time.

He’s also made his name known off the court. Since his retirement in 1989, the former Los Angeles Laker and Milwaukee Buck has been a political activist, movie star and developer of young basketball talent.

He also sells Oriental rugs, and has a stack for sale at Minasian Rug Co. in Evanston.

The stack includes several with the tag “KAJ” in magic marker, according to Crain’s Chicago.

Over the last several decades, “Mr. Skyhook” has accumulated a world-class collection of rugs and needed to unload some. He chose the Minasian store because of the “trust factor,” according to Crain’s. He’s known the Minasian brothers since the 1970s, when he walked in the Chicago Avenue store to add to his collection when he was a member of the Bucks.

“He came in and started looking at rugs,” Carnig Minasian told Crain’s. “It’s hard not to recognize the guy when he walks in. He came back the next day.”

“We hit it off immediately,” brother Armen added. “We have been friends since.”

There are about 60 “KAJ” rugs for sale at Minasian’s. They range in price from $3,500 to $100,000.

Shirley that price is serious. The Minasians - whose family rug business dates back to the 1800s - agree the all-time NBA leader in points has “a very good eye” when it comes to rugs.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

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