Retired NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar received a big honor this week, when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton named him a global cultural ambassador.

According to NBA.com, the State Department announced Jabbar's appointment on Wednesday (January 18). As ambassador, he will promote importance of education, social and racial tolerance, cultural understanding and using sports as a means of empowerment.

"It's a great honor and I'm thrilled that they see me as the person that could get this done," the NBA all-time scoring leader told NBA.com.

Ann Stock, assistant secretary of state for education and cultural affairs, said Abdul-Jabbar will travel the world to engage a generation of young people to help promote diplomacy.

Stock said Tuesday the appointment is part of Clinton's vision of "Smart Power" that combines diplomacy, defense and development to "bridge the gap in a tense world through young people."

Abdul-Jabbar said he will share his take on life in America, adding: "I'll be doing a few basketball clinics, too."

His first official trip comes on Sunday (January 22), when he travels to Brazil for a number of events centering on education.

Abdul-Jabbar retired from the NBA in 1989, and has since been involved in projects focused on African-American history and socio-economic justice. His 2011 documentary, "On the Shoulders of Giants," sought to highlight these issues. He's also launched the Skyhook Foundation, which works to improve children's lives through education and sports.

For his efforts, he received the Lincoln Medal in 2001, for his commitment to education, understanding and equality and his contributions that exemplify President Abraham Lincoln's legacy.

Abdul-Jabbar scored 38,387 points during his 20-year NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.