Basketball players with glasses are not a common sight on the court, but they have significantly impacted the game's history. Some famous basketball players with glasses include Kurt Rambis, Horace Grant, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. These players have overcome their vision problems and achieved great career success. Here are five famous basketball players with glasses that you may have known.
1. Amar'e Stoudemire
(Photo: cbssports.com)
For a long stretch in the 2000s and early 2010s, no player in the NBA finished dunks with more authority and power than forward Amar'e Stoudemire. His freakish athleticism allowed him to jump over and through anyone who stood in his way.
Stoudemire is often forgotten as one of the premier members of the 2010 free agent class, and it's possible he may not have gotten the big bucks if he didn't take care of his peepers. He started wearing goggles after the 2008-2009 season when he suffered a torn iris and detached retina.
2. Kurt Rambis
(Photo: mitchellandness.com)
Kurt Rambis was a fan favorite for his rugged and blue-collar style of play and his signature black-rimmed glasses. He had a vision of 20/400 and could not wear contact lenses comfortably. He was nicknamed "Superman" by the Lakers announcer Chick Hearn because he resembled Clark Kent. He won four championships with the Lakers and later became a coach for several teams.
3. Horace Grant
(Photo: azcentral.com)
Horace Grant was vital to the Chicago Bulls' first three-peat in the 1990s and the Los Angeles Lakers championship team in 2001. He was legally blind in 1991 and had worn goggles on the science. He had LASIK surgery in 1996 but continued to wear goggles as part of his identity and as an inspiration to kids and fans who had to wear glasses too. He said he received many thanks from parents for making their children more comfortable wearing goggles while playing.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
(Photo: people.com)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and one of the greatest players ever. He started his career with the Milwaukee Bucks and won a championship there before joining the Lakers and winning five more titles. He wore goggles on the court after an eye injury in 1974 that scratched his cornea. He said wearing goggles helped protect his eyes from further damage and improved his peripheral vision.
5. James Worthy
James Worthy, known as “Big Game James,” was at his best in the playoffs (Photo: Basketball Network)
James Worthy is a former professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a seven-time All-Star, a three-time NBA champion, and the 1988 NBA Finals MVP. He is regarded as one of the best small forwards of all time and one of the most clutch performers in the history of the NBA. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, and his jersey number 42 was retired by the Lakers in 1995.
These are some examples of basketball players with glasses who have excelled and left a lasting legacy. They have shown that wearing glasses is not a hindrance but a strength and that vision problems can be overcome with determination and skill.
Please watch the video below to understand why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is fond of wearing goggles.