Making Hoops History

ESPN has counted down the IBM Top 25 Greatest Players in College Basketball history, and to no one’s great surprise, the first and third spots were filled by two of UCLA's best: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (formerly Lew Alcindor) and Bill Walton, respectively.

Scoring on their opponents: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (above) and Bill Walton (to left).

According to ESPN, "Lew Alcindor changed the game of college basketball. This three-time All-American and 1969 Naismith Award-winner dominated every time he took the floor. He compiled an 88-2 record and won three national championships."

As for Bill Walton, his 44 points in the 1973 championship game "was almost a perfect performance. Forever remembered, this led to UCLA's second NCAA championship during the Walton era."

To view video clips of Abdul-Jabbar, Walton and the rest of the top 25, go to ESPN Sports.

To see what Abdul-Jabbar has to say about his book, "On the Shoulders of Giants," and other topics, visit The New York Times Web site, go to "Video Search," type in Abdul-Jabbar's name and choose from five short interviews.

Also catch Abdul-Jabbar's Los Angeles Times blog and listen to his Bruin "Big Moment" from the current UCLA ad campaign.