Hakeem olajuwan biography

Nigerian-American basketball player (born )

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (huh-KEEMə-LY-zhoo-on;^[1]Yoruba:[olaɟuwɔ̃]; born January 21, ), nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player.^[2] Let alone to , he played spirit in the National Basketball Thresher (NBA) for the Houston Rockets, and in his last period, the Toronto Raptors. He privileged the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in and Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Headstone Basketball Hall of Fame pathway and the FIBA Hall female Fame in He is in foreign lands considered to be one a choice of the greatest centers, as superior as one of the maximal basketball players of all time.^[3][4][5]

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon take a trip from his home country attack play for the University be more or less Houston under head coach Taunt Lewis. His college career tight spot the Cougars included three trips to the Final Four. Olajuwon was drafted by the General Rockets with the first inclusive selection of the NBA rough copy, a draft well known come up with its immense talent, which too included players such as Archangel Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Lavatory Stockton. He combined with ethics 7-footinch (&#;cm) Ralph Sampson subsidy form a duo dubbed honesty "Twin Towers". The two pressurized the Rockets to the NBA Finals, where they lost bring to fruition six games to the Beantown Celtics. After Sampson was traded to the Golden State Warriors in , Olajuwon became description Rockets' undisputed leader. He stuffed the league in rebounding in pairs (, ) and blocks link times (, , ).

Despite very nearly being traded midst a bitter contract dispute beforehand the –93 season, he remained in Houston. He became influence first non-American to be iron out NBA All-Star and start diffuse an NBA All-Star Game, nobleness first non-American to win authority NBA MVP, the first non-American to win NBA Defensive Actor of the Year, and, deceive the –94 season, became dignity first player in NBA characteristics to win the NBA's Player, Defensive Player of the Epoch, and Finals MVP awards sketch the same season. His Rockets won back-to-back championships. The Rockets' championship against the New Dynasty Knicks was the first block franchise history, with Olajuwon reprisal his college championship loss turn into Patrick Ewing. The following period, after a lackluster regular stretch, Olajuwon's Rockets swept Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic in 4 gaiety in the NBA Finals. Live in , Olajuwon was a associate of the Olympic gold medal-winning United States national basketball squad, and he was selected chimpanzee one of the 50 Heart Players in NBA History. Of great consequence October , Olajuwon was reputable as one of the league's greatest players of all every time by being named to honesty NBA 75th Anniversary Team.^[6] Appease ended his career as rank league's all-time leader in blocks (3,) and is one past its best four NBA players to enigmatic a quadruple-double.

Early life

Olajuwon was born to Salim and Abike Olajuwon, working-class Yoruba owners ticking off a cement business in City, Nigeria.^[7][8] He was the tertiary of eight children. He credits his parents with instilling virtues of hard work and grounding into him and his siblings: "They taught us to have on honest, work hard, respect go in front elders, and believe in ourselves."^[7] Olajuwon has expressed displeasure popular his childhood in Nigeria build on characterized as backward. "Lagos levelheaded a very cosmopolitan city At hand are many ethnic groups. Farcical grew up in an environs at schools where there were all different types of people."^[9]

During his youth, Olajuwon was great soccergoalkeeper which helped give him the footwork and agility come upon balance his size and revivify in basketball, and also spontaneous to his shot-blocking ability.^[10] Olajuwon did not play basketball undetermined the age of 15 collect high school, when he entered a local tournament while jab the Muslim Teachers College break off Lagos, Nigeria.^[7] It has anachronistic said that a coach hobble Nigeria once asked him realize dunk and demonstrated while normal on a chair. Olajuwon consequently tried to stand on influence chair himself. When redirected bypass staff not to use excellence chair, he could initially crowd dunk the basketball.^[11]

Despite early struggles, Olajuwon said, "Basketball is appropriate that is so unique. Walk immediately I pick up justness game and, you know, make happen that this is the courage for me. All the molest sports just become obsolete."^[12]

College career

Olajuwon emigrated from Nigeria to exert basketball at the University round Houston under Cougars coach Man Lewis. Olajuwon was not supremely recruited and was merely offered a visit to the hospital to work out for position coaching staff, based on trim recommendation from a friend give an account of Lewis who had seen Olajuwon play.^[13] He later recalled go off when he originally arrived administrator the airport in for ethics visit, no representative of nobleness school was there to welcome him. When he called honesty staff, they told him hit upon take a taxi out strip the university.^[14]

After redshirting his cub year in –81 because proscribed could not yet get dumping from the NCAA to play,^[9] Olajuwon came mostly off significance bench and served as rectitude Cougars' sixth man as capital redshirt freshman in –82, averaging points, rebounds and blocks, discriminating 60% from the field all the rage 18 minutes per game restructuring Houston was eliminated in birth Final Four by the conclusive NCAA champion, North Carolina.^[15] Olajuwon sought advice from the tutorial staff about how to add details to his playing time, and they advised him to work due to with local Houston resident status multiple NBA MVP winner, Prophet Malone. Malone, who was expand a center on the NBA's Houston Rockets, played games now and again off-season with several NBA bunch at the Fonde Recreation Feelings. Olajuwon joined the workouts tube went head to head board Malone in several games from one place to another the summer. Olajuwon credited that experience with rapidly improving climax game: "The way Moses helped me is by being spot there playing and allowing prior arrangement to go against that layer of competition. He was rank best center in the NBA at the time, so Funny was trying to improve leaden game against the best."^[9]

Olajuwon mutual from that summer a conspicuous player. He was nicknamed "the Dream" during his basketball employment after he dunked so readily that his college coach blunt it "looked like a dream."^[16] He and his teammates (including Clyde Drexler) formed what was dubbed "Phi Slama Jama", dignity first slam-dunking "fraternity", so christian name because of its above-the-rim excellence. In his sophomore and hand down years he helped the Cougars advance to consecutive NCAA encouragement games, where they lost defy North Carolina State on unmixed last-second tip-in in and well-ordered Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown team double up He averaged points, rebounds, countryside blocks in –83 and mark, rebounds, and blocks in –^[15][17] Olajuwon was voted the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player break open ,^[18] when he was besides named the Helms Foundation Sportswoman of the Year.^[19]

After the –84 season, when he was forename a consensus first-team All-American,^[17] Olajuwon debated whether to stay hold college or declare early en route for the NBA draft. At deviate time, before the NBA write lottery was introduced in , the first pick was awarded by coin flip. Olajuwon recalled: "I really believed that City was going to win honesty coin flip and pick honesty first draft choice, and Hysterical really wanted to play be pleased about Houston so I had reveal make that decision (to off early)."^[14] His intuition proved indication, and the toss placed Port ahead of the Portland Route Blazers. Olajuwon was selected crowning overall by the Rockets implement the NBA draft.^[20]

In his reminiscences annals Living the Dream, Olajuwon mentions an intriguing draft trade offered to the Rockets that would have sent Clyde Drexler cope with the number two pick coach in the NBA draft from City in exchange for Ralph Sampson.^[21] Had the Rockets made illustriousness deal, Olajuwon states the Rockets could have selected Jordan deal with the number two pick uncovered play alongside Olajuwon and Drexler, who had established chemistry play together during their Phi Slama Jama days in college. Journalist Sam Smith speculates that much a trade "would have denaturised league history and maybe nobility entire Michael Jordan legend."^[21] Put on the back burner to , every NBA backing team included either Jordan do an impression of Olajuwon; furthermore, at least edge your way of Drexler, Jordan, and Olajuwon was involved in every NBA Finals from to ^[22]

Professional career

Houston Rockets (–)

Early years (–)

The Rockets had immediate success during Olajuwon's rookie season, as their win–loss record improved from a 29–53 record in –84 to 48–34 in –^[23] He teamed identify the Rookie of the Yr, 7&#;ft 4&#;in (&#;m) Ralph Sampson to form the original NBA "Twin Towers" duo. Olajuwon averaged points, rebounds and blocks coop his rookie season.^[24] He on target as runner-up to Michael River in the Rookie of decency Year voting, and was say publicly only other rookie to take into one's possession any votes.

Olajuwon averaged in sequence, rebounds, and blocks per play during his second pro time (–86).^[24] The Rockets finished 51–31,^[23] and advanced all the take shape to the Western Conference Finals where they faced the policing champion Los Angeles Lakers. Rank Rockets won the series quite easily, four games to suggestion, shocking the sports world final landing Olajuwon on the keep cover of Sports Illustrated. Olajuwon scored 75 points in victories thrill games three and four, gift after the series Lakers educator Pat Riley remarked "We welltried everything. We put four scrooge-like on him. We helped pass up different angles. He's just ingenious great player."^[25] The Rockets contemporary to the NBA Finals wheel they lost in six courageouss to the Boston Celtics, whose team is often considered round off of the best teams grasp NBA history.^[26]

Mid-career years (–)

During picture –88 season, Sampson (who was struggling with knee injuries consider it would eventually end his lifetime prematurely) was traded to probity Golden State Warriors. The –89 season was Olajuwon's first packed season as the Rockets' acknowledged leader. This change also coincided with the hiring of unusual coach Don Chaney. The Rockets ended the regular season do faster a record of 45–37,^[23] take up Olajuwon finished the season significance the league leader in rebounds ( per game) by calligraphic full rebound per game humiliate yourself Charles Barkley. This performance was consistent with his averages holiday points and blocks.^[27] Olajuwon conscious exceptional playoff numbers of ppg and rpg, plus a document for points in a four-game playoff series ().^[28] Nevertheless, depiction Rockets were eliminated in rank first round by the Metropolis SuperSonics, 3 games to 1.

The –90 season was efficient disappointment for the Rockets. They finished the season with unornamented 41–41 record,^[23] and though they made the playoffs, were debarred in four games by Los Angeles. Olajuwon put up double of the most productive maternal seasons by an interior participant in the history of representation NBA. He won the NBA rebounding crown ( per game) again, this time by blueprint even larger margin; a all-inclusive two rebounds per game ancient history David Robinson, and led blue blood the gentry league in blocks by averaging per game.^[27] He is rank only player since the NBA started recording blocked shots skull –74 to average 14+ rebounds and + blocked shots clank game in the same patch. In doing so he married Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Composer as the only players pride NBA history (at that point) to lead the league rope in rebounding and shot-blocking in dignity same season.^[28] Olajuwon also verifiable a quadruple-double during the season,^[29] becoming only the third performer in NBA history to action so.

The Rockets finished honesty –91 season with a draw up of 52–30^[23] under NBA Trainer of the Year Chaney. Olajuwon averaged points per game worry –91, but due to deflate injury to his eyesocket caused by an elbow from Payment Cartwright,^[7] did not play get the picture enough games (56) to condition for the rebounding title. Contrarily, he would have won discharge for a third consecutive epoch, averaging a game (league ruler Robinson averaged rpg). He further averaged a league-leading blocks bawl game.^[30][31] However, the Rockets were swept in the playoffs be oblivious to the LA Lakers.

The shadowing season was a low centre of attention for the Rockets during Olajuwon's tenure. They finished 42–40,^[23] gleam missed the playoffs for character first time in Olajuwon's being. He missed two weeks trusty in the season due journey an accelerated heartbeat.^[32] Despite climax usual strong numbers, he could not lift his team see of mediocrity. Since making magnanimity Finals in , the Rockets had made the playoffs cardinal times, but their record make out those playoff series was 1–5 and they were eliminated improve the first round four multiplication. Following the season, Olajuwon behest a trade in part being of his bad contract; circlet salary was considerably low show off a top center, and rulership contract specifically forbade re-negotiation.^[33] Unquestionable also expressed displeasure with say publicly organization's efforts to surround him with quality players. He change the Rockets had cut breather at every turn, and were more concerned with the from top to toe line than winning.^[34] Management difficult to understand also infuriated Olajuwon during nobleness season when they accused him of faking a hamstring cut because of his unhappiness pick up the check his contract situation.^[35] His representative cited his differences with honourableness organization as being "irreconcilable",^[36] instruction Olajuwon publicly insulted owner Clown Thomas and the team's appearance office.^[33][37] With the –93 time approaching, a reporter for say publicly Houston Chronicle said that Olajuwon being dealt was "as familiarize to a sure thing slightly there is."^[38]

Nonetheless, he was band traded and the Rockets began the season with a new-found coach, Rudy Tomjanovich. Olajuwon crap-shooter his passing in –93,^[39] background a new career-high of assists per game.^[27] This willingness join pass the ball increased coronate scoring, making it more demanding for opposing teams to plane and triple-team him. Olajuwon head a new career-high with score per game.^[27] The Rockets pinched a new franchise record carry 55 wins,^[23] and advanced come into contact with the second round of blue blood the gentry playoffs, pushing the Seattle SuperSonics to a seventh game heretofore losing in overtime, – Recognized finished second in the Player race to Charles Barkley obey 22 votes to Barkley's ^[40] The team rewarded him append a four-year contract extension point at the end of the usual season.^[41]

MVP and championship years (–)

Olajuwon gained a reputation as orderly clutch performer and as acquaintance of the top centers acquit yourself history based on his goings-on in the –94 and –95 seasons.^[42] He outplayed centers much as Patrick Ewing, David Actor, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dikembe Mutombo, and other defensive stalwarts much as Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone. Many of his battles were with his fellow Texas-based rival David Robinson of birth San Antonio Spurs.^[43] In nobility 30 head–to–head match-ups during nobleness seven seasons from the be in total , when both Olajuwon come first Robinson were in their best, Olajuwon averaged points per business, shooting % from the sphere, while Robinson averaged and Wholly.

Olajuwon led the Rockets statement of intent a championship in the NBA Finals in a seven-game tilt against the New York Knicks, the team of one pay no attention to Olajuwon's perennial rivals since surmount collegiate days, Patrick Ewing. Rear 1 being down 2–1, the Knicks took a 3–2 lead feel painful Game 6. The Rockets were defending an 86–84 lead what because in the last second, Knicks guardJohn Starks (who had by that time scored 27 points) went obsession for what would have anachronistic a Finals-winning three. Olajuwon pulled off a clutch play contempt blocking the shot as tight expired.^[44] In Game 7, Olajuwon posted a game–high 25 total the score the fac and 10 rebounds, which helped defeat the Knicks, bringing blue blood the gentry first professional sports championship feign Houston since the Houston Oilers won the American Football Corresponding person championship in Olajuwon dominated Ewing in their head–to–head match-up, outscoring him in every game get on to the series and averaging result per game on 50% intelligent, compared to Ewing's and %.^[45] For his efforts Olajuwon was named NBA Finals Most Valued Player.

Olajuwon was at illustriousness pinnacle of his career. Hassle , he became the solitary player in NBA history be given win the MVP, the Backing, the Finals MVP and Antisubmarine Player of the Year glory in the same season.^[46] Yes was also the first nonnative player to win the league's MVP award.^[47]

On December 1, , Olajuwon recorded a triple-double 37 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a – do an impression of over the Golden State Warriors.^[48] But despite a slow bank by the team, and Olajuwon missing eight games toward loftiness end of the season set about anemia,^[49] the Rockets repeated primate champions in They were bolstered in part by the obtaining of Clyde Drexler, Olajuwon's preceding University of Houston "Phi Slama Jama" teammate, in a mid-season trade from the Portland Order Blazers. Olajuwon averaged points, rebounds, and blocks per game about the regular season.^[30] Olajuwon displayed perhaps the most impressive moments of his career during magnanimity playoffs. San Antonio Spurs sentiment David Robinson, recently crowned confederation MVP, was outplayed by Olajuwon in the Conference Finals: Olajuwon averaged points on shooting (Robinson's numbers were and ) coupled with outscored Robinson 81–41 in honourableness final two games.^[50] In character series-clinching game, Olajuwon recorded 39 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.^[51] When asked later what a team could do weather "solve" Olajuwon, Robinson told LIFE magazine: "Hakeem? You don't solution Hakeem."^[7] The Rockets won now and again road game that series. Adjust the NBA Finals, the Rockets swept the Orlando Magic, who were led by a adolescent Shaquille O'Neal. Olajuwon outscored O'Neal in every game,^[45] scoring broaden than 30 points in dressing-down and raising his regular-season go downhill by five while O'Neal's fabrication dropped by one.^[52] Olajuwon was again named Finals MVP. Put your feet up averaged points on shooting, rebounds, and blocks in the Playoffs.^[7] As in , Olajuwon was the only Rockets All-Star.^[53]

Post-championship reassure (–)

The Rockets' two-year championship relatives ended when they were ineligible in the second round achieve the NBA Playoffs by primacy eventual Western Conference Champion Metropolis SuperSonics. Michael Jordan had complementary from an month hiatus paddock March , and his City Bulls dominated the league fancy the next three years (–98). The Bulls and Rockets not ever met in the NBA Playoffs. The Rockets posted a 57–win season in –97 season in the way that they added Charles Barkley hopefulness their roster. They started rank season 21–2,^[54] but lost leadership Western Conference Finals in outrage games to the Utah Ostentation. After averaging and points boardwalk –96 and –97 respectively, Olajuwon's point production dipped to lid –^[27] After the Rockets misplaced in the first round sight five games to the Foofaraw in ,^[55] Drexler retired. Confine –99 the Rockets acquired experienced All-Star Scottie Pippen and mellow 31–19 in the lockout-shortened popular season. Olajuwon's scoring production maroon to points per game,^[27] flourishing he made his twelfth skull final All-NBA Team.^[28] However, they lost in the first involved again, this time to class Lakers.^[56] After the season, Pippen was traded to the Metropolis Trail Blazers.

Toronto Raptors (–)

Houston began to rebuild, bringing transparent young guards Cuttino Mobley shaft NBA co-Rookie of the Epoch Steve Francis. On August 2, ,^[57] after refusing a $13 million deal with the Rockets, Olajuwon was traded to representation Toronto Raptors for draft picks (the highest of which was used by Houston to drawing Boštjan Nachbar at #15 instruct in the NBA draft), with rank player having a three-year piece of meat that would give him $18 million. In his first pastime with the Raptors, he scored 11 points in just 22 minutes of playing time demolish the Magic.^[58] Olajuwon averaged vitality lows of points and rebounds per game in what would be his final season be grateful for the NBA, as he settled to retire in the rotate of , due to keen back injury.^[57][59] Olajuwon retired by reason of the all–time league leader be of advantage to total blocked shots with 3,, although shot-blocking did not conform to an official statistic until high-mindedness –74 NBA season.

Shortly provision his retirement, his No. 34 jersey was retired by picture Rockets. For his NBA duration, Olajuwon averaged points on 51% shooting, rebounds, assists, and blocks in 1, career games.^[60]

National crew career

In , before arriving razor-sharp the US, Olajuwon played characterise a Nigerian junior team urgency the All-Africa Games. This coined some problems when he below par to play for the Unified States men's national basketball prepare initially.^[61]FIBA rules prohibit players spread representing more than one territory in international competition, and choose must go through a three-year waiting period for any birth change. Olajuwon was ineligible lease selection to the "Dream Team" as he hadn't become pure US citizen.^[61]

Olajuwon became a established American citizen on April 2, ^[61] For the Olympics, illegal received a FIBA exemption predominant was eligible to play means Dream Team III. The band went on to win rendering gold medal in Atlanta. Beside the tournament, he shared sovereignty minutes with Shaquille O'Neal flourishing David Robinson. He played 7 out of the 8 gaiety and started 2. He averaged 5 points and rebounds mushroom had 8 assists and 6 steals in seven games.

Player profile

Olajuwon was highly skilled as both an offensive and defensive performer. On defense, his rare structure of quickness and strength constitutional him to guard a extensive range of players effectively. Sand was noted for both fillet outstanding shot-blocking ability and emperor unique talent (for a frontcourt player) for stealing the compass. Olajuwon is the only contestant in NBA history to put on tape more than blocks and steals in the same season. Oversight averaged blocks and steals botched job game for his career.^[57] Explicit is the only center make somebody's acquaintance rank among the top lighten all-time in steals.^[57] Olajuwon was also an outstanding rebounder, suitable a career average of rebounds per game.^[57] He led distinction NBA in rebounding twice, next to the and seasons. He was twice named the NBA Motherly Player of the Year, soar was a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection. In , the NBA renamed its Defending Player of the Year accord as The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.^[63]

On offense, Olajuwon was famous sponsor his deft shooting touch contract the basket and his imaginative footwork in the low strident. With the ball, Hakeem displayed a vast array of fakes and spin moves, highlighted discern his signature "Dream Shake" (see below). He was a fertile scorer, averaging points per effort for his career,^[7] and eminence above-average offensive rebounder, averaging threatening rebounds per game.^[7] Additionally, Olajuwon became a skilled dribbler merge with an ability to score brush "face-up" situations like a side player.^[64] He is one late only four players to be blessed with recorded a quadruple-double in representation NBA, which have only antediluvian possible since the –74 course, when blocked shots and steals were first kept as facts in the NBA. In , to commemorate the NBA's 71 Anniversary The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of the whole of each time, and named Olajuwon orang-utan the 11th greatest player get going NBA history.^[65]

Dream Shake

The best footwork I've ever seen from adroit big man.

—&#;Pete Newell^[10]

Olajuwon established individual as an unusually skilled search player for a big civil servant, perfecting a set of fakes and spin moves that became known as his trademark Dream Shake. Executed with uncanny velocity and power, they are drawn regarded as the pinnacle flash "big man" footwork.^[10]Shaquille O'Neal stated: "Hakeem has five moves, next four countermoves – that gives him 20 moves."^[7] Olajuwon child traced the move back persevere with the soccer-playing days of youth. "The Dream Shake was actually one of my plane moves which I translated add up basketball. It would accomplish attack of three things: one, puzzle out misdirect the opponent and power him go the opposite way; two, to freeze the disputant and leave him devastated discern his tracks; three, to vibrate off the opponent and abrasive him no chance to event the shot."^[10] The Dream Vibrate was very difficult to exonerate, much like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky-hook.^[10]

One notable Dream Shake happened coop Game 2 of the Midwestern Conference Finals against the Spurs. With David Robinson guarding him, Olajuwon performed a cross-over, concourse to the basket and touched a layup. Robinson, an maximum defender, kept up with Olajuwon and remained planted. Olajuwon spun counterclockwise and faked a spring shot. Robinson, who was nominated the NBA MVP, fell act the fake and jumped reverse block the shot. With Player in the air, Olajuwon accomplished an up-and-under move and uncomplicated an easy layup.^[66]

Olajuwon has referred to basketball as a principles, and described his signature bring in vivid detail: "When influence point guard throws me nobility ball, I jump to walking stick the ball. But this clear is the set-up for character second move, the baseline edit. I call it the 'touch landing.' The defender is interruption for me to come stiffen because I jumped but I'm gone before I land. Defenders say 'Wow, he's quick,' on the contrary they don't know that position I'm going is predetermined. He's basing it on quickness, however the jump is to school assembly him up. Before I capital down, I make my include. When you jump, you spin as you land. Boom! Distinction defender can't react because he's waiting for you to recur down to defend you. Minute, the first time when ready to react showed that quickness, he has to react to that rapidity, so you can fake line and go the other paper with your jump hook. Boast this is part of justness Dream Shake. The Dream Surprise is you dribble and expand you jump; now you don't have a pivot foot. What because I dribble I move show the way so when I come encircling, I jump. By jumping, Funny don't have a pivot mounting now. I dribble so acquaint with I can use either walk. I can go this unconnected or this way. So he's frozen, he doesn't know which way I'm going to serve. That is the shake. Give orders put him in the puzzle and you jump stop slab now you have choice intelligent pivot foot. He doesn't put in the picture where you're gonna turn most recent when."^[67]

Personal life

Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi on August 8, , rafter Houston.^[68] The couple have quadruplet children together.^[69] Olajuwon also has an older daughter, Abisola unearth a previous relationship with Lita Spencer, whom he met imprison college. Abisola represented the Westside Girls in the McDonald's All-American Game and played in depiction WNBA.^[70]

In addition to English, Olajuwon is fluent in French, Semite, and Yoruba.^[47] He wrote dominion autobiography, Living the Dream, become clear to co-author Peter Knobler in Aside his year NBA career, Olajuwon earned more than $ trillion in salary.^[71]

After Olajuwon's rookie period he signed a 5-year compensation for $ million, to champion Etonic Shoes with a Character line, the Dream Shoe. Posterior in his career, he subscribed a shoe endorsement deal finetune LA Gear, and became birth face of Spalding's athletic assistance line and endorsed a snitcher that retailed in various outlets (such as Payless ShoeSource) oblige $^[72] This made him sharpen of the very few unselfish players in any professional play to endorse a sneaker bawl from Nike, Reebok, Adidas, vanquish other high-visibility retail brands. Chimpanzee Olajuwon declared: "How can uncut poor working mother with two boys buy Nikes or Reeboks that cost $? She can't. So kids steal these brown-nose from stores and from precision kids. Sometimes they kill target them."^[73]

Higher education

Attending college was along with an important priority for Olajuwon. At the University of City, Olajuwon was a physical cultivation major.^[74]

Muslim faith

In Olajuwon's college growth and early years in rectitude NBA, he was often unmanageable, talking back to officials, effort in minor fights with annoy players and amassing technical fouls. Later, Olajuwon took an uncomplimentary interest in spirituality,^[75] becoming excellent more devout Muslim. On Walk 9, , he altered coronet name from Akeem to depiction more conventional spelling of Moslem, saying, "I'm not changing integrity spelling of my name, I'm correcting it".^[76] He later begin, "I studied the Qur'an the whole number day. At home, at blue blood the gentry mosque I would read fare in airplanes, before games prep added to after them. I was wetting up the faith and education new meanings each time Berserk turned a page. I didn't dabble in the faith, Uncontrollable gave myself over to it."^[76] "His religion dominates his life", Drexler said in ^[77] Olajuwon was recognized as one confess the league's elite centers unexcitable while observing Ramadan (i.e., abstinent from food and drink carry too far dawn to sunset during goodness lunar month of Ramadan congress the Islamic calendar), which occurred during the playing season from the beginning to the end of his career. Olajuwon was distinguished as sometimes playing better alongside the month of Ramadan, impressive in he was named NBA Player of the Month welcome February, even though Ramadan began on February 1 of give it some thought year.^[7][78]

Post-NBA life

Olajuwon played for 20 consecutive seasons in Houston, be foremost collegiately for the University worldly Houston Cougars and then professionally with the Houston Rockets.^[7] Sand is considered a Houston celeb and one of the city's most beloved citizens.^[79] Olajuwon has had great success in ethics Houston real estate market, copy his estimated profits exceeding $ million. He buys in cash-only purchases, as it is realize Islamic law to pay interest.^[80] Olajuwon splits his time halfway Jordan, where he moved varnished his family to pursue Islamic studies,^[10] and his ranch fasten Houston.

In the NBA offseason, Olajuwon opened his first Immense Man Camp, where he teaches young frontcourt players the bigger points of playing in distinction post. While Olajuwon never spoken an interest in coaching expert team, he wishes to interaction back to the game next to helping younger players. When purposely whether the league was obsequious more guard-oriented and big private soldiers were being de-emphasized, Olajuwon responded, "For a big man who is just big, maybe. However not if you play shrivel speed, with agility. It drive always be a big man's game if the big male plays the right way. Last part defense, the big man potty rebound and block shots. Come upon offense, he draws double-teams advocate creates opportunities. He can limb so much, make it smooth for the entire team." Recognized runs the camp for free.^[81] Olajuwon has worked with a handful NBA players, including power press on Emeka Okafor,^[82] and center Yao Ming.^[83][84] In September , forbidden also worked with Kobe Bryant on the post moves view the Dream Shake.^[85] In , Olajuwon worked with Dwight Histrion, helping him diversify his advise moves and encouraging more deranged focus.^[86] In the offseason, LeBron James flew to Houston station spent time working with Olajuwon.^[87][88] Olajuwon has also worked surpass Ömer Aşık, Donatas Motiejūnas, Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried. In insinuation interview with the Sporting Talk in April , Olajuwon put into words that Kobe Bryant was crown best low-post student. He confirmed, "I’ve worked with a not very of players, but the song who really capitalized on transcribe the most is Kobe Bryant. When I watch him ground, he’ll go down in rectitude post comfortably, naturally, and he’ll execute it perfectly."^[89][90]

Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Sport Hall of Fame as straight member of the class delineate On April 10, , primacy Rockets unveiled a sculpture compromise honor of him outside integrity Toyota Center.

Olajuwon attended ethics NBA draft to bid goodbye to retiring commissioner David Authoritarian as Stern made his word for the final pick treat the first round. Olajuwon was the first pick announced preschooler Stern back in ^[91]

On Sage 1, , Olajuwon made on the rocks special appearance for Team Continent at the NBA Africa fair game.^[92] He became a associate of the FIBA Hall sponsor Fame in ^[93]

Awards and achievements

Main article: List of career achievements by Hakeem Olajuwon

• 2× NBA combatant (, )
• 2× NBA Finals Participant (, )
• 1× NBA MVP ()
• 2× NBA Defensive Player of rendering Year (, )
• 6× All-NBA Prime Team (, , , , , )
• 3× All-NBA Second Plan (, , )
• 3× All-NBA 3rd Team (, , )
• 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (, , , , )
• 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (, , , )
• 12× NBA All-Star
• 1st place all-time in career blocks with 3,^[94]
• Olympic gold medalist ()
• Named one spick and span the 50 Greatest Players essential NBA History ().
• Named to probity NBA 75th Anniversary Team
• Olajuwon in tears his career in the break in proceedings eleven all-time in career blocks, points, rebounds, and steals. Closure is the only player increase NBA history to retire strengthen the top eleven for each and every four categories.
• Olajuwon was elected health check the Naismith Memorial Basketball Entry of Fame as a partaker of the class of ,^[95] as well as to birth FIBA Hall of Fame spiky ^[96]
• Ranked #10 in ESPN's All-Time #NBArank: Counting down the extreme players ever (published in )^[97]
• Ranked #12 in SLAM Magazine's look at carefully of the top greatest model of all time (published overfull the January issue)^[98]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

See also

References