×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Tuesday
27
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 15°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Barack Obama jokes with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (full ceremony video)

Presidential Medal Freedom Award ceremony

Newsroom November 23 10:01

US president Barack Obama hosted the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Nov. 22 at the White House, awarding the country’s highest civilian honour to luminaries of business, sports, entertainment, activism, and art. Recipients included Bill and Melinda Gates, Tom Hanks, Ellen Degeneres, Robert DeNiro, Frank Gehry, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, and Maya Lin.
But for Obama, a well-documented basketball fan, it could’ve been the attendance of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who got him the most excited.
The president, standing respectably tall at 6’1”, was still no match for the NBA legend Abdul-Jabbar, who at 7’2” had to bend backwards, making for an awkward reverse bear hug as Obama awarded him his medal.

source: qz,com

Michael Jordan receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the @whitehouse!

A video posted by NBA (@nba) on Nov 22, 2016 at 3:09pm PST

>Related articles

A 48-year-old was arrested in Piraeus for possession of a 4th-century BC marble antiquity

Ioulia Karapataki to headline Antipodes & Greek Fest at Darling Harbour

Greece–Italy 12–5: Historic bronze medal at the European Water Polo Championship

@kareemabduljabbar_33 receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the @whitehouse!

A video posted by NBA (@nba) on Nov 22, 2016 at 3:08pm PST

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#award#Barack Obama#ceremony#culture#michael jordan#president#robert de niro#sports#tom hanks#US
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Prime Minister Modi’s post on EU trade deal, “An important milestone”

January 27, 2026

Alpha Bank: Inflation persistence in Greece reflects excess demand conditions

January 27, 2026

Seven PAOK supporters killed in road accident in Romania – Full updates on the tragedy

January 27, 2026

Interview Poll: Karystianou seen as unprepared by 70%, one in two has a worse image after abortion statement

January 27, 2026

Gold pound: Selling price exceeds €1,000 – 150,000 transactions in 2025

January 27, 2026

Familiarizing students and teachers with the program, Public Digital Tutoring Centre

January 27, 2026

European Commission approves Greece’s National Defense Plan under “SAFE”

January 27, 2026

ESM: Greek bonds among the strong performers of the Eurozone – 15-year low for the spread

January 27, 2026
All News

> World

Prime Minister Modi’s post on EU trade deal, “An important milestone”

The agreement is expected to double EU goods exports to India by 2032 - Tariffs on olive oil exported from Europe will be reduced from 45% to 0% over five years

January 27, 2026

European Commission approves Greece’s National Defense Plan under “SAFE”

January 27, 2026

North Korea launches two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, says Tokyo

January 27, 2026

Major EU-India trade deal creates a market of 2 billion citizens: How tariffs fall, which Greek products are affected, see tables

January 27, 2026

UN welcomes the return of the body of the last Hamas hostage, calls for full implementation of the ceasefire

January 27, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα