Kareem auctioning rings for charity

An auction featuring four of Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA championship rings runs through Saturday.

The league’s all-time leading scorer is auctioning rings he won with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1985, 1987 and 1988, plus other game-used and autographed memorabilia from his legendary career.

Abdul-Jabbar, 71, wrote on his website

earlier this month that “much of the proceeds” will benefit his Skyhook Foundation, a charity that helps kids learn about science, technology, engineering and math.

“When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple. Sell it all,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote.

“Looking back on what I have done with my life, instead of gazing at the sparkle of jewels or gold plating celebrating something I did a long time ago, I’d rather look into the delighted face of a child holding their first caterpillar and think about what I might be doing for their future.

“That’s a history that has no price.” The auction is being conducted by New Jersey-based Goldin Auctions. As

of Tuesday afternoon, the bidding on his ring from the 1985 NBA championship was up to $85,000, and the bidding on a signed basketball from his final NBA game in 1989 was up to $75,000.

A six-time NBA champion and sixtime league MVP, Abdul-Jabbar was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.