The Tipoff to a Meaningful Relationship

As the men aged, their athletic connection became a more heartfelt association. And two acts of generosity by Abdul-Jabbar endeared him to the Dayton basketball community and challenged the outdated perception of him as a distant athlete, writer and filmmaker.

Shortly after the 1967 title game, he assisted a shaken Dayton cheerleader at the hotel where the Final Four teams and entourages stayed in Louisville, Ky. And in 2009, when both men were in poor health, Abdul-Jabbar sent touching notes to Obrovac, who had cancer of the esophagus, stomach and brain.

“It says he’s got a big heart and empathy; he’s a good man,” Don Donoher, 88, the Hall of Fame coach who led Dayton to the 1967 title game, said of Abdul-Jabbar.

After leaving Kobe Bryant’s memorial in Los Angeles last month, Abdul-Jabbar, who will turn 73 in April, spoke briefly by phone about reaching out to his Dayton counterpart.

“I wanted to show some appreciation for somebody I had a history with,” he said.

In 1967, the national semifinals and final were played on consecutive days. Dayton had little time to prepare for undefeated U.C.L.A. after a semifinal victory over North Carolina. The Flyers used tennis rackets at a short practice to mimic Abdul-Jabbar’s height and reach.

The championship game tipped off at Freedom Hall in Louisville. After Obrovac beat Abdul-Jabbar to the jump ball, the Flyers were quickly grounded. Abdul-Jabbar collected 20 points, 18 rebounds and 3 assists, giving U.C.L.A. a late 26-point lead before heading to the bench in an eventual 79-64 victory.

“It was a proud moment for Dan, the signature play of his career,” said Ned Sharpenter, 72, a reserve Dayton center on the 1967 team. “I wish we had a few other proud moments that day.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/sports/ncaabasketball/Dayton-tipoff-kareem-abdul-jabbar.html