NEW YORK -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is interesting in returning to New York City as Columbia University's basketball coach.

"It would be wonderful,'' Abdul-Jabbar told the Daily News on Thursday night in San Antonio.

The 55-year-old Abdul-Jabbar, in San Antonio as an analyst for CBS's NCAA Tournament coverage, confirmed that he interviewed with Columbia officials this week.

"It would be the perfect progression for me,'' he said. "But I won't make any comment right now. I'm going to give them the opportunity to make a decision.''

The Hall of Famer grew up in New York, starring at Power Memorial Academy before playing at UCLA and in the NBA with the Bucks and Lakers.

Last season, Abdul-Jabbar coached the Oklahoma Storm to the U.S. Basketball League championship. He also was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers in 1999-00.

Columbia fired Armond Hill as coach two days after his team finished 2-25, the worst season in the school's 103-year basketball history. The Lions lost their final 18 games.