Before He Became Kareem, Lew Had Trouble Finding Pants That Fit

As a sophomore at UCLA in 1967, young Lew Alcindor already had one of the highest verticals in the game, and an inseam to match. (Fifty-one inches, to be precise.) Tailored clothes were the solution to that, but the rest of college basketball had no answer for Alcindor's and UCLA's dominance. The next year, after his second title in two years, the NCAA banned the dunk. Didn't matter: the Bruins won again.
Long Lens is an occasional look into the photo archives of Life For more college basketball shots from the '40s, '50s and '60s, click here.
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