KALAMAZOO, MI -- More than 2,600 people are expected Tuesday evening as basketball legend and author Kareem Abdul-Jabbar discusses his new book to culminate this year's Reading Together community-wide book reading program.

Abdul-Jabbar is to meet members of the community from 7 to 9 p.m. March 14, at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium.

His book "Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White," was chosen as the Reading Together book for 2017 and, as part of that program, has been the subject of organized community discussions in recent weeks.

Abdul-Jabbar will be interviewed for about an hour on stage at Miller Auditorium by Tim Terrentine, vice president for development and alumni relations at WMU. They are expected to discuss the book for about half that time, and Terrentine is then expected to ask some poignant questions about the book and issues that were solicited from members of the community during the community-wide discussions.

Released in the fall with the presidential election in the backdrop, the book has become timely reading. Published by Time, it explores issues that affect Americans today, including race and economic inequality, the media's influence on society and the business of sports.

Abdul-Jabbar, who will be 70 in April, is a member of the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame, a six-time NBA champion (one with the Milwaukee Bucks and five with the Los Angeles Lakers) and widely considered one of the best basketball players of all time. The 7-foot 20-inch center retired in 1989 but remains the NBAs all-time leading scorer. Since then, he has had involvements in business and entertainment and has authored six books for adults and three for children.

Karen Trout, coordinator of Reading Together for the Kalamazoo Public Library, said Abdul-Jabbar will autograph copies of his book in the lobby of Miller Auditorium after the on-stage discussion. Pictures can be taken while he is signing but he will be on a tight schedule and will not stop to stand or pose.

She said he will not sign any sports memorabilia.

Copies of his books, which has only been released in hard copy thus far, will be on sale at Miller Auditorium, care of Michigan News Agency. The books sell for $27.95 each ($29.62 with taxes). Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

There is no charge to attend the gathering but those planning to attend have been asked to RSVP at www.kpl.gov/reading-together/2017/

Miller Auditorium has the capacity to seat about 3,500 people.