Solomon Hughes (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Solomon Hughes
Hughes at the LBJ Library in 2020
Born	(1979-02-28) February 28, 1979 (age 46)
Alma mater	University of California, Berkeley (BA, MA) University of Georgia (PhD)
Occupation	educator athlete actor
Years active	1997–present
Known for	lead role of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Solomon Hughes (actor) Personal information High school John Wesley North High School (Riverside, California ) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, California) Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, Virginia) Listed height 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) Listed weight 225 lb (102 kg) Career information College California (1998–2002) NBA Draft 2002 / Undrafted

Solomon Young Hughes, born on February 28, 1979, is an American educator, athlete, and actor. He is well-known for playing the legendary basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the HBO sports drama series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.

Solomon Hughes' Sports Journey

Solomon Hughes is quite tall, standing at 6 feet 11 inches. His father, Ronald Hughes, also played basketball in college and is now a professor. Solomon played basketball at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, California, and graduated in 1997.

College Basketball Career

When he was 17, Solomon planned to play for Tulane University. However, he decided not to go there, which meant he couldn't play NCAA basketball for two years. He spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy. Then, he enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. Even though he couldn't play right away, he practiced with the California Golden Bears team.

After an appeal, the NCAA allowed him to play again on November 3, 1998. Hughes played his first college game that very night. He played for the Golden Bears for four years and was even a captain of the team.

Professional Basketball Experience

After college, Solomon Hughes played 13 games for the famous Harlem Globetrotters. He also tried out for the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2003. Hughes played professionally in other leagues too, like the United States Basketball League, the American Basketball Association, and a professional league in Mexico.

Solomon Hughes' Educational Path

Solomon Hughes is also a dedicated student and educator. He earned two degrees from the University of California, Berkeley: a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a master's degree in Education.

Advanced Studies and Teaching

In 2013, he earned his PhD from the University of Georgia. His special research was about how highly recruited student athletes choose which college to attend.

Today, Hughes is an instructor at Duke University's Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity. He has also been a visiting instructor at Stanford University. At Stanford, he also helped lead the EDGE Doctoral Fellowship Program, which supports students working on their PhDs.

Solomon Hughes' Acting Debut

Solomon Hughes took on his first acting role when he was cast as the legendary basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.

Playing an Icon

Hughes played Abdul-Jabbar for 17 episodes across two seasons of the show. The series showed the exciting rise of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. The show has since ended, with its second season finale being the final episode.

Film and Television Roles

Solomon Hughes has appeared in both films and television shows.

Film Appearances

Television Appearances