text: NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing emergency heart surgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on Thursday, April 16. Abdul-Jabbar, 68, had quadruple coronary bypass surgery after being admitted to the hospital earlier in the week with cardiovascular disease. The successful surgery, which was performed by cardiac surgery chief Dr Richard Shemin, cleared a major blockage from the Hall of Famer's heart. Scroll down for video . NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar underwent emergency heart surgery at UCLA Medical Center on April 16 . Abdul-Jabbar (No. 33) shooting his patented sky hook while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 . After retiring from the NBA, the 19-time All Star and six-time MVP starred in Game of Death with Bruce Lee . UCLA Health issued a statement at the request of Abdul-Jabbar. It read: 'At this time, Abdul-Jabbar would like to thank his surgical team and the medical staff at UCLA, his alma mater, for the excellent care he has received. 'He is looking forward to getting back to his normal activities soon. 'He asks that you keep him in your thoughts and, most importantly, cherish and live each day to its fullest.' The  7-foot-2 player led UCLA to three consecutive  titles and was named the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA tournament for three straight years. Abdul-Jabbar, who was known for his patented sky hook, won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks before moving on to the Los Angeles Lakers and winning five more rings. Abdul-Jabbar, who was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, adopted his Muslim name in 1971 at age 24 . Abdul-Jabbar won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks and five with the Los Angeles Lakers . The successful surgery was performed by the hospital's (pictured) cardiac surgery chief,  Dr Richard Shemin . After retiring, the 19-time NBA All Star and six-time MVP starred in Game of Death with Bruce Lee, wrote nine New York Times best-sellers and was appointed to be the US Cultural Ambassador by Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2012. He also beat Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia after being diagnosed in 2008. His documentary, On the Shoulders of Giants: The Greatest Team You’ve Never Heard Of, earned him two NAACP Image Awards in 2013. Abdul-Jabbar, who was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, adopted his Muslim name in 1971 at age 24. Jeanie Buss, the executive vice-president of the Lakers, tweeted out her support for the Los Angeles legend .
target: NBA's all-time leading scorer had quadruple coronary bypass surgery .
  Six-time league champion admitted  this week with cardiovascular disease .
  Surgery was a success and 68-year-old is expected to make a full recovery .
  Abdul-Jabbar was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2008 .
  Appointed as US Cultural Ambassador by  Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2012 .