Kareem was my neighbor in Milwaukee. Very nice guy! Sofy-spoken, Jazz fanatic.
Kareem was my (around-the-corner) neighbor in L.A. in the '90s. Met him once while we were out walking out dogs not long after he retired. Yes, nice fellow. No airs. His nemesis Wilt was also a class guy.
I remember when Kareem lost his house to a fire in '83, and his enormous vinyl jazz collection bit the dust with it. Sympathetic jazz aficionados from all over the world sent him records to help replace his collection, and Kareem was overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness.