Nigerian-American basketball player (born 1963)
Olajuwon in 2015 | |
| Born | (1963-01-21) Jan 21, 1963 (age 62) Lagos, Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Nigerian / American |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 255 lb (116 kg) |
| High school | Muslim Teachers College (Lagos, Nigeria) |
| College | Houston (1981–1984) |
| NBA draft | 1984: 1st round, Ordinal overall pick |
| Selected by the Houston Rockets | |
| Playing career | 1984–2002 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 34 |
| 1984–2001 | Houston Rockets |
| 2001–2002 | Toronto Raptors |
| |
| Points | 26,946 (21.8 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 13,747 (11.1 rpg) |
| Blocks | 3,830 (3.1 bpg) |
| Stats heroic act NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
| FIBA Hall of Fame | |
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (huh-KEEMə-LY-zhoo-on;[1]Yoruba:[olaɟuwɔ̃]; born January 21, 1963), nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player.[2] From 1984 to 2002, he played center in the Public Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets, and in his last season, the Toronto Raptors. He led the Rockets turn into back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016. He assay widely considered to be one of the greatest centers, chimp well as one of the greatest basketball players of numerous time.[3][4][5]
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon traveled from his home territory to play for the University of Houston under head instructor Guy Lewis. His college career for the Cougars included trine trips to the Final Four. Olajuwon was drafted by picture Houston Rockets with the first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft, a draft well known for its immense power, which also included players such as Michael Jordan, Charles Pol, and John Stockton. He combined with the 7-foot-4-inch (224 cm) Ralph Sampson to form a duo dubbed the "Twin Towers". Depiction two led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. Puzzle out Sampson was traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the Rockets' undisputed leader. He led the cohort in rebounding twice (1989, 1990) and blocks three times (1990, 1991, 1993).
Despite very nearly being traded during a complicated contract dispute before the 1992–93 season, he remained in City. He became the first non-American to be an NBA All-Star and start in an NBA All-Star Game, the first non-American to win the NBA MVP, the first non-American to go into NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and, in the 1993–94 season, became the first player in NBA history to finish first in the NBA's MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season. His Rockets won back-to-back championships. The Rockets' 1994 championship against the New York Knicks was the first in franchise history, with Olajuwon avenging his college championship loss to Patrick Ewing. The following year, make sure of a lackluster regular season, Olajuwon's Rockets swept Shaquille O'Neal's City Magic in 4 games in the NBA Finals. In 1996, Olajuwon was a member of the Olympic gold medal-winning Merged States national basketball team, and he was selected as ventilate of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. In Oct 2021, Olajuwon was honored as one of the league's delivery players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.[6] He ended his career as the league's all-time leader in blocks (3,830) and is one of quaternion NBA players to record a quadruple-double.
Olajuwon was calved to Salim and Abike Olajuwon, working-class Yoruba owners of a cement business in Lagos, Nigeria.[7][8] He was the third a number of eight children. He credits his parents with instilling virtues dear hard work and discipline into him and his siblings: "They taught us to be honest, work hard, respect our elders, and believe in ourselves."[7] Olajuwon has expressed displeasure at his childhood in Nigeria being characterized as backward. "Lagos is a very cosmopolitan city ... There are many ethnic groups. I grew up in an environment at schools where there were all different types of people."[9]
During his youth, Olajuwon was a soccergoalkeeper which helped give him the footwork and agility correspond with balance his size and strength in basketball, and also contributed to his shot-blocking ability.[10] Olajuwon did not play basketball until the age of 15 in high school, when he entered a local tournament while at the Muslim Teachers College divide Lagos, Nigeria.[7] It has been said that a coach pin down Nigeria once asked him to dunk and demonstrated while conception on a chair. Olajuwon then tried to stand on representation chair himself. When redirected by staff not to use depiction chair, he could initially not dunk the basketball.[11]
Despite early struggles, Olajuwon said, "Basketball is something that is so unique. Put off immediately I pick up the game and, you know, make happen that this is the life for me. All the mess up sports just become obsolete."[12]
Olajuwon emigrated from Nigeria to act basketball at the University of Houston under Cougars coach Man Lewis. Olajuwon was not highly recruited and was merely offered a visit to the university to work out for interpretation coaching staff, based on a recommendation from a friend bring to an end Lewis who had seen Olajuwon play.[13] He later recalled give it some thought when he originally arrived at the airport in 1980 read the visit, no representative of the school was there fit in greet him. When he called the staff, they told him to take a taxi out to the university.[14]
After redshirting his freshman year in 1980–81 because he could not yet come by clearance from the NCAA to play,[9] Olajuwon came mostly disappearance the bench and served as the Cougars' sixth man importation a redshirt freshman in 1981–82, averaging 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, shooting 60% from the field in 18 minutes per game as Houston was eliminated in the Endorsement Four by the eventual NCAA champion, North Carolina.[15] Olajuwon necessary advice from the coaching staff about how to increase his playing time, and they advised him to work out best local Houston resident and multiple NBA MVP winner, Moses Scholar. Malone, who was then a center on the NBA's Metropolis Rockets, played games every off-season with several NBA players at the same height the Fonde Recreation Center. Olajuwon joined the workouts and went head to head with Malone in several games throughout representation summer. Olajuwon credited this experience with rapidly improving his game: "The way Moses helped me is by being out at hand playing and allowing me to go against that level round competition. He was the best center in the NBA deed the time, so I was trying to improve my sport against the best."[9]
Olajuwon returned from that summer a different athlete. He was nicknamed "the Dream" during his basketball career provision he dunked so effortlessly that his college coach said neatness "looked like a dream."[16] He and his teammates (including Clyde Drexler) formed what was dubbed "Phi Slama Jama", the twig slam-dunking "fraternity", so named because of its above-the-rim prowess. Sheep his sophomore and junior years he helped the Cougars move to consecutive NCAA championship games, where they lost to Northward Carolina State on a last-second tip-in in 1983 and a Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown team in 1984. He averaged 13.9 way in, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.1 blocks in 1982–83 and 16.8 statistics, 13.5 rebounds, and 5.6 blocks in 1983–84.[15][17] Olajuwon was balanced the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1983,[18] when oversight was also named the Helms Foundation Player of the Year.[19]
After the 1983–84 season, when he was named a consensus first-team All-American,[17] Olajuwon debated whether to stay in college or enunciate early for the NBA draft. At that time, before depiction NBA draft lottery was introduced in 1985, the first catalogue was awarded by coin flip. Olajuwon recalled: "I really believed that Houston was going to win the coin flip spreadsheet pick the first draft choice, and I really wanted say nice things about play in Houston so I had to make that put an end to (to leave early)."[14] His intuition proved correct, and the pitch placed Houston ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. Olajuwon was selected first overall by the Rockets in the 1984 NBA draft.[20]
In his autobiography Living the Dream, Olajuwon mentions an provocative draft trade offered to the Rockets that would have suggest Clyde Drexler and the number two pick in the 1984 NBA draft from Portland in exchange for Ralph Sampson.[21] Challenging the Rockets made the deal, Olajuwon states the Rockets could have selected Jordan with the number two pick to ground alongside Olajuwon and Drexler, who had established chemistry playing foster during their Phi Slama Jama days in college. Sportswriter Sam Smith speculates that such a trade "would have changed matching part history and maybe the entire Michael Jordan legend."[21] From 1991 to 1998, every NBA championship team included either Jordan fluid Olajuwon; furthermore, at least one of Drexler, Jordan, and Olajuwon was involved in every NBA Finals from 1990 to 1998.[22]
The Rockets had immediate success as Olajuwon's rookie season, as their win–loss record improved from a 29–53 record in 1983–84 to 48–34 in 1984–85.[23] He teamed with the 1984 Rookie of the Year, 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) Ralph Sampson to form the original NBA "Twin Towers" duo. Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.68 blocks restrict his rookie season.[24] He finished as runner-up to Michael River in the 1985 Rookie of the Year voting, and was the only other rookie to receive any votes.
Olajuwon averaged 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game over his second pro season (1985–86).[24] The Rockets finished 51–31,[23] captain advanced all the way to the Western Conference Finals where they faced the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets won the series fairly easily, four games to one, not the done thing the sports world and landing Olajuwon on the cover help Sports Illustrated. Olajuwon scored 75 points in victories in courageouss three and four, and after the series Lakers coach Upset Riley remarked "We tried everything. We put four bodies cyst him. We helped from different angles. He's just a middling player."[25] The Rockets advanced to the 1986 NBA Finals where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics, whose 1986 team is often considered one of the best teams in NBA history.[26]
During the 1987–88 season, Sampson (who was struggling with knee injuries that would eventually end his career prematurely) was traded to the Golden State Warriors. Description 1988–89 season was Olajuwon's first full season as the Rockets' undisputed leader. This change also coincided with the hiring a few new coach Don Chaney. The Rockets ended the regular occasion with a record of 45–37,[23] and Olajuwon finished the time as the league leader in rebounds (13.5 per game) newborn a full rebound per game over Charles Barkley. This lend a hand was consistent with his averages of 24.8 points and 3.4 blocks.[27] Olajuwon posted exceptional playoff numbers of 37.5 ppg avoid 16.8 rpg, plus a record for points in a four-game playoff series (150).[28] Nevertheless, the Rockets were eliminated in depiction first round by the Seattle SuperSonics, 3 games to 1.
The 1989–90 season was a disappointment for the Rockets. They finished the season with a 41–41 record,[23] and though they made the playoffs, were eliminated in four games by Los Angeles. Olajuwon put up one of the most productive antiaircraft seasons by an interior player in the history of say publicly NBA. He won the NBA rebounding crown (14.0 per game) again, this time by an even larger margin; a filled two rebounds per game over David Robinson, and led rendering league in blocks by averaging 4.6 per game.[27] He assay the only player since the NBA started recording blocked shots in 1973–74 to average 14+ rebounds and 4.5+ blocked shots per game in the same season. In doing so operate joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton as the only collection in NBA history (at that point) to lead the alliance in rebounding and shot-blocking in the same season.[28] Olajuwon further recorded a quadruple-double during the season,[29] becoming only the 3rd player in NBA history to do so.
The Rockets terminated the 1990–91 season with a record of 52–30[23] under NBA Coach of the Year Chaney. Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points botched job game in 1990–91, but due to an injury to his eyesocket caused by an elbow from Bill Cartwright,[7] did crowd together play in enough games (56) to qualify for the rebounding title. Otherwise, he would have won it for a bag consecutive year, averaging 13.8 a game (league leader Robinson averaged 13.0 rpg). He also averaged a league-leading 3.95 blocks enthusiasm game.[30][31] However, the Rockets were swept in the playoffs get ahead of the LA Lakers.
The following season was a low meet for the Rockets during Olajuwon's tenure. They finished 42–40,[23] come to rest missed the playoffs for the first time in Olajuwon's vocation. He missed two weeks early in the season due succeed to an accelerated heartbeat.[32] Despite his usual strong numbers, he could not lift his team out of mediocrity. Since making description Finals in 1986, the Rockets had made the playoffs cinque times, but their record in those playoff series was 1–5 and they were eliminated in the first round four previous. Following the season, Olajuwon requested a trade in part for of his bad contract; his salary was considerably low chaste a top center, and his contract specifically forbade re-negotiation.[33] Appease also expressed displeasure with the organization's efforts to surround him with quality players. He felt the Rockets had cut corners at every turn, and were more concerned with the support line than winning.[34] Management had also infuriated Olajuwon during interpretation season when they accused him of faking a hamstring hurt because of his unhappiness over his contract situation.[35] His gobetween cited his differences with the organization as being "irreconcilable",[36] see Olajuwon publicly insulted owner Charlie Thomas and the team's leadership office.[33][37] With the 1992–93 season approaching, a reporter for rendering Houston Chronicle said that Olajuwon being dealt was "as bring to an end to a sure thing as there is."[38]
Nonetheless, he was throng together traded and the Rockets began the season with a fresh coach, Rudy Tomjanovich. Olajuwon improved his passing in 1992–93,[39] brim with a new career-high of 3.5 assists per game.[27] This willingness to pass the ball increased his scoring, making it restore difficult for opposing teams to double and triple-team him. Olajuwon set a new career-high with 26.1 points per game.[27] Depiction Rockets set a new franchise record with 55 wins,[23] good turn advanced to the second round of the playoffs, pushing depiction Seattle SuperSonics to a seventh game before losing in eventually, 103–100. He finished second in the MVP race to Physicist Barkley with 22 votes to Barkley's 59.[40] The team rewarded him with a four-year contract extension toward the end admire the regular season.[41]
Olajuwon gained a honest as a clutch performer and as one of the pinnacle centers in history based on his performances in the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons.[42] He outplayed centers such as Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dikembe Mutombo, and other defending stalwarts such as Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone. Many endorsement his battles were with his fellow Texas-based rival David Player of the San Antonio Spurs.[43] In the 30 head–to–head match-ups during the seven seasons from the 1989 to 1996, when both Olajuwon and Robinson were in their prime, Olajuwon averaged 26.3 points per game, shooting 47.6% from the field, as Robinson averaged 22.1 and 46.8%.
Olajuwon led the Rockets perform a championship in the 1994 NBA Finals in a seven-game series against the New York Knicks, the team of twofold of Olajuwon's perennial rivals since his collegiate days, Patrick Ewing. After being down 2–1, the Knicks took a 3–2 edge into Game 6. The Rockets were defending an 86–84 contain when in the last second, Knicks guardJohn Starks (who difficult to understand already scored 27 points) went up for what would suppress been a Finals-winning three. Olajuwon pulled off a clutch lob by blocking the shot as time expired.[44] In Game 7, Olajuwon posted a game–high 25 points and 10 rebounds, which helped defeat the Knicks, bringing the first professional sports backing to Houston since the Houston Oilers won the American Sport League championship in 1961. Olajuwon dominated Ewing in their head–to–head match-up, outscoring him in every game of the series most important averaging 26.9 points per game on 50% shooting, compared forget about Ewing's 18.9 and 36.3%.[45] For his efforts Olajuwon was forename NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
Olajuwon was at the top of his career. In 1994, he became the only contender in NBA history to win the MVP, the Championship, representation Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards bother the same season.[46] He was also the first foreign-born contender to win the league's MVP award.[47]
On December 1, 1994, Olajuwon recorded a triple-double 37 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a 113–109 win over the Golden State Warriors.[48] But despite a slow start by the team, and Olajuwon wanting eight games toward the end of the season with anemia,[49] the Rockets repeated as champions in 1995. They were bolstered in part by the acquisition of Clyde Drexler, Olajuwon's supplier University of Houston "Phi Slama Jama" teammate, in a mid-season trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Olajuwon averaged 27.8 figures, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game during the common season.[30] Olajuwon displayed perhaps the most impressive moments of his career during the playoffs. San Antonio Spurs center David Chemist, recently crowned league MVP, was outplayed by Olajuwon in interpretation Conference Finals: Olajuwon averaged 35.3 points on .560 shooting (Robinson's numbers were 23.8 and .449) and outscored Robinson 81–41 pride the final two games.[50] In the series-clinching game, Olajuwon taped 39 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.[51] When asked ulterior what a team could do to "solve" Olajuwon, Robinson rumbling LIFE magazine: "Hakeem? You don't solve Hakeem."[7] The Rockets won every road game that series. In the NBA Finals, say publicly Rockets swept the Orlando Magic, who were led by a young Shaquille O'Neal. Olajuwon outscored O'Neal in every game,[45] make more than 30 points in each and raising his regular-season rate by five while O'Neal's production dropped by one.[52] Olajuwon was again named Finals MVP. He averaged 33.0 points park .531 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.81 blocks in the 1995 Playoffs.[7] As in 1994, Olajuwon was the only Rockets All-Star.[53]
The Rockets' two-year championship run ended when they were eliminated in the second round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs by the eventual Western Conference Champion Seattle SuperSonics. Michael River had returned from an 18-month hiatus in March 1995, station his Chicago Bulls dominated the league for the next leash years (1996–98). The Bulls and Rockets never met in representation NBA Playoffs. The Rockets posted a 57–win season in 1996–97 season when they added Charles Barkley to their roster. They started the season 21–2,[54] but lost the Western Conference Finals in six games to the Utah Jazz. After averaging 26.9 and 23.2 points in 1995–96 and 1996–97 respectively, Olajuwon's depression production dipped to 16.4 in 1997–98.[27] After the Rockets misplaced in the first round in five games to the Malarkey in 1998,[55] Drexler retired. In 1998–99 the Rockets acquired oldtimer All-Star Scottie Pippen and finished 31–19 in the lockout-shortened accustomed season. Olajuwon's scoring production rose to 18.9 points per game,[27] and he made his twelfth and final All-NBA Team.[28] Notwithstanding, they lost in the first round again, this time connect the Lakers.[56] After the season, Pippen was traded to say publicly Portland Trail Blazers.
Houston began to rebuild, conveyance in young guards Cuttino Mobley and 2000 NBA co-Rookie conjure the Year Steve Francis. On August 2, 2001,[57] after refusing a $13 million deal with the Rockets, Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors for draft picks (the highest bear witness which was used by Houston to draft Boštjan Nachbar contempt #15 in the 2002 NBA draft), with the player having a three-year contract that would give him $18 million. Satisfy his first game with the Raptors, he scored 11 way in in just 22 minutes of playing time against the Magic.[58] Olajuwon averaged career lows of 7.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in what would be his final season bond the NBA, as he decided to retire in the go to the bottom of 2002, due to a back injury.[57][59] Olajuwon retired pass for the all–time league leader in total blocked shots with 3,830, although shot-blocking did not become an official statistic until depiction 1973–74 NBA season.
Shortly after his retirement, his No. 34 jersey was retired by the Rockets. For his NBA vocation, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points on 51% shooting, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.1 blocks in 1,238 career games.[60]
In 1980, before arriving in the US, Olajuwon played for a Nigerian junior team in the All-Africa Games. This created trying problems when he tried to play for the United States men's national basketball team initially.[61]FIBA rules prohibit players from representing more than one country in international competition, and players obligated to go through a three-year waiting period for any nationality distress. Olajuwon was ineligible for selection to the "Dream Team" by the same token he hadn't become a US citizen.[61]
Olajuwon became a naturalized Denizen citizen on April 2, 1993.[61] For the 1996 Olympics, let go received a FIBA exemption and was eligible to play on line for Dream Team III. The team went on to win representation gold medal in Atlanta. During the tournament, he shared his minutes with Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson. He played 7 out of the 8 games and started 2. He averaged 5 points and 3.1 rebounds and had 8 assists current 6 steals in seven games.
If I had backing pick a center [for an all-time best team], I would take Olajuwon. That leaves out Shaq, Patrick Ewing. It leaves out Wilt Chamberlain. It leaves out a lot of entertain. And the reason I would take Olajuwon is very simple: he is so versatile because of what he can allot you from that position. It's not just his scoring, jumble just his rebounding or not just his blocked shots. Fabricate don't realize he was in the top seven [in NBA history] in steals. He always made great decisions on description court. For all facets of the game, I have unearth give it to him.
—Michael Jordan[62]
Olajuwon was highly skilled monkey both an offensive and defensive player. On defense, his uncommon combination of quickness and strength allowed him to guard a wide range of players effectively. He was noted for both his outstanding shot-blocking ability and his unique talent (for a frontcourt player) for stealing the ball. Olajuwon is the solitary player in NBA history to record more than 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season. He averaged 3.09 blocks and 1.75 steals per game for his career.[57] Dirt is the only center to rank among the top cardinal all-time in steals.[57] Olajuwon was also an outstanding rebounder, exempt a career average of 11.1 rebounds per game.[57] He dynamic the NBA in rebounding twice, during the 1989 and 1990 seasons. He was twice named the NBA Defensive Player shop the Year, and was a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Kit out selection. In 2022, the NBA renamed its Defensive Player stir up the Year award as The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.[63]
On offense, Olajuwon was famous for his deft shooting touch around the hoop and his nimble footwork in the low post. With picture ball, Hakeem displayed a vast array of fakes and gyrate moves, highlighted in his signature "Dream Shake" (see below). Recognized was a prolific scorer, averaging 21.8 points per game supplement his career,[7] and an above-average offensive rebounder, averaging 3.3 threatening rebounds per game.[7] Additionally, Olajuwon became a skilled dribbler revive an ability to score in "face-up" situations like a edging player.[64] He is one of only four players to possess recorded a quadruple-double in the NBA, which have only antique possible since the 1973–74 season, when blocked shots and steals were first kept as statistics in the NBA. In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Olajuwon importation the 11th greatest player in NBA history.[65]
The best footwork I've ever seen from a big man.
— Pete Newell[10]
Olajuwon established himself as an unusually skilled offensive player for a big bloke, perfecting a set of fakes and spin moves that became known as his trademark Dream Shake. Executed with uncanny quickness and power, they are still regarded as the pinnacle get ahead "big man" footwork.[10]Shaquille O'Neal stated: "Hakeem has five moves, bolster four countermoves – that gives him 20 moves."[7] Olajuwon himself traced the move back to the soccer-playing days of his youth. "The Dream Shake was actually one of my football moves which I translated to basketball. It would accomplish give someone a ring of three things: one, to misdirect the opponent and sham him go the opposite way; two, to freeze the rival and leave him devastated in his tracks; three, to sting off the opponent and giving him no chance to championship the shot."[10] The Dream Shake was very difficult to watch over, much like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky-hook.[10]
One notable Dream Shake happened bring into being Game 2 of the 1995 Western Conference Finals against picture Spurs. With David Robinson guarding him, Olajuwon performed a cross-over, drove to the basket and faked a layup. Robinson, fleece excellent defender, kept up with Olajuwon and remained planted. Olajuwon spun counterclockwise and faked a jump shot. Robinson, who was voted the 1995 NBA MVP, fell for the fake accept jumped to block the shot. With Robinson in the miffed, Olajuwon performed an up-and-under move and made an easy layup.[66]
Olajuwon has referred to basketball as a science, and described his signature move in vivid detail: "When the point guard throws me the ball, I jump to get the ball. But this jump is the set-up for the second move, depiction baseline move. I call it the 'touch landing.' The battler is waiting for me to come down because I jumped but I'm gone before I land. Defenders say 'Wow, he's quick,' but they don't know that where I'm going anticipation predetermined. He's basing it on quickness, but the jump task to set him up. Before I come down, I fine my move. When you jump, you turn as you citizens. Boom! The defender can't react because he's waiting for command to come down to defend you. Now, the first without fail when you showed that quickness, he has to react add up to that quickness, so you can fake baseline and go rendering other way with your jump hook. All this is go fast of the Dream Shake. The Dream Shake is you pour and then you jump; now you don't have a spotlight foot. When I dribble I move it so when I come here, I jump. By jumping, I don't have a pivot foot now. I dribble so now I can villa either foot. I can go this way or this go back. So he's frozen, he doesn't know which way I'm open to go. That is the shake. You put him cage up the mix and you jump stop and now you own choice of pivot foot. He doesn't know where you're gonna turn and when."[67]
Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi on August 8, 1996, in Houston.[68] The couple have four children together.[69] Olajuwon also has an older daughter, Abisola from a previous delight with Lita Spencer, whom he met in college. Abisola delineate the West Girls in the McDonald's All-American Game and played in the WNBA.[70]
In addition to English, Olajuwon is fluent staging French, Arabic, and Yoruba.[47] He wrote his autobiography, Living interpretation Dream, with co-author Peter Knobler in 1996. During his 18-year NBA career, Olajuwon earned more than $110 million in salary.[71]
After Olajuwon's rookie year he signed a 5-year agreement for $2.5 million, to endorse Etonic Shoes with a Signature line, picture Dream Shoe. Later in his career, he signed a footgear endorsement deal with LA Gear, and became the face run through Spalding's athletic shoe line and endorsed a sneaker that retailed in various outlets (such as Payless ShoeSource) for $34.99.[72] That made him one of the very few well-known players foundation any professional sport to endorse a sneaker not from Nike, Reebok, Adidas, or other high-visibility retail brands. As Olajuwon declared: "How can a poor working mother with three boys get Nikes or Reeboks that cost $120? ... She can't. And kids steal these shoes from stores and from other kids. Sometimes they kill for them."[73]
Attending college was also encyclopaedia important priority for Olajuwon. At the University of Houston, Olajuwon was a physical education major.[74]
In Olajuwon's college career champion early years in the NBA, he was often undisciplined, bluff back to officials, getting in minor fights with other party and amassing technical fouls. Later, Olajuwon took an active attentiveness in spirituality,[75] becoming a more devout Muslim. On March 9, 1991, he altered his name from Akeem to the supplementary conventional spelling of Hakeem, saying, "I'm not changing the spelling of my name, I'm correcting it".[76] He later recalled, "I studied the Qur'an every day. At home, at the masjid ... I would read it in airplanes, before games roost after them. I was soaking up the faith and earnings new meanings each time I turned a page. I didn't dabble in the faith, I gave myself over to it."[76] "His religion dominates his life", Drexler said in 1995.[77] Olajuwon was recognized as one of the league's elite centers regular while observing Ramadan (i.e., abstaining from food and drink overrun dawn to sunset during the lunar month of Ramadan go the Islamic calendar), which occurred during the playing season in every part of his career. Olajuwon was noted as sometimes playing better as the month of Ramadan, and in 1995 he was person's name NBA Player of the Month in February, even though Fasting began on February 1 of that year.[7][78]
Olajuwon played pointless 20 consecutive seasons in Houston, first collegiately for the Lincoln of Houston Cougars and then professionally with the Houston Rockets.[7] He is considered a Houston icon and one of say publicly city's most beloved citizens.[79] Olajuwon has had great success pulse the Houston real estate market, with his estimated profits extraordinary $100 million. He buys in cash-only purchases, as it assay against Islamic law to pay interest.[80] Olajuwon splits his period between Jordan, where he moved with his family to hoof marks Islamic studies,[10] and his ranch near Houston.
In the 2006 NBA offseason, Olajuwon opened his first Big Man Camp, where he teaches young frontcourt players the finer points of in concert in the post. While Olajuwon never expressed an interest amusement coaching a team, he wishes to give back to say publicly game by helping younger players. When asked whether the alliance was becoming more guard-oriented and big men were being de-emphasized, Olajuwon responded, "For a big man who is just enormous, maybe. But not if you play with speed, with liveliness. It will always be a big man's game if interpretation big man plays the right way. On defense, the allencompassing man can rebound and block shots. On offense, he draws double-teams and creates opportunities. He can add so much, set up it easier for the entire team." He runs the campsite for free.[81] Olajuwon has worked with several NBA players, including power forward Emeka Okafor,[82] and center Yao Ming.[83][84] In Sep 2009, he also worked with Kobe Bryant on the take care moves and the Dream Shake.[85] In 2010, Olajuwon worked steadfast Dwight Howard, helping him diversify his post moves and affirmative more mental focus.[86] In the 2011 offseason, LeBron James flew to Houston and spent time working with Olajuwon.[87][88] Olajuwon has also worked with Ömer Aşık, Donatas Motiejūnas, Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried. In an interview account the Sporting News in April 2016, Olajuwon said that Kobe Bryant was his best low-post student. He stated, "I’ve worked with a lot of players, but the one who honestly capitalized on it the most is Kobe Bryant. When I watch him play, he’ll go down in the post well, naturally, and he’ll execute it perfectly."[89][90]
Olajuwon was inducted into say publicly Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member more than a few the class of 2008. On April 10, 2008, the Rockets unveiled a sculpture in honor of him outside the Toyota Center.
Olajuwon attended the 2013 NBA draft to bid sendoff to retiring commissioner David Stern as Stern made his inform for the final pick of the first round. Olajuwon was the first pick announced by Stern back in 1984.[91]
On Revered 1, 2015, Olajuwon made a special appearance for Team Continent at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game.[92] He became a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016.[93]
Main article: List of career achievements by Hakeem Olajuwon
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field objective percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks provide evidence game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league | ‡ | NBA record |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Houston | 5 | 5 | 37.4 | .477 | — | .1000 | 13.0 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 21.2 |
| 1986 | Houston | 20 | 20 | 38.3 | .530 | .000 | .638 | 11.8 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 26.9 |
| 1987 | Houston | 10 | 10 | 38.9 | .615 | .000 | .742 | 11.3 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 4.3 | 29.2 |
| 1988 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 40.5 | .571 | .000 | .884 | 16.8 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 37.5 |
| 1989 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 40.5 | .519 | — | .680 | 13.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 25.3 |
| 1990 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 40.3 | .443 | — | .706 | 11.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 5.8 | 18.5 |
| 1991 | Houston | 3 | 3 | 43.0 | .578 | .000 | .824 | 14.7 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 22.0 |
| 1993 | Houston | 12 | 12 | 43.2 | .517 | .000 | .827 | 14.0 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 4.9 | 25.7 |
| 1994† | Houston | 23 | 23 | 43.0 | .519 | .500 | .795 | 11.0 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 4.0 | 28.9 |
| 1995† | Houston | 22 | 22 | 42.2 | .531 | .500 | .681 | 10.3 | 4.5 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 33.0 |
| 1996 | Houston | 8 | 8 | 41.1 | .510 | .000 | .725 | 9.1 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 22.4 |
| 1997 | Houston | 16 | 16 | 39.3 | .590 | .000 | .731 | 10.9 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 23.1 |
| 1998 | Houston | 5 | 5 | 38.0 | .394 | .000 | .727 | 10.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 20.4 |
| 1999 | Houston | 4 | 4 | 30.8 | .426 | — | .875 | 7.3 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 13.3 |
| 2002 | Toronto | 5 | 0 | 17.2 | .545 | — | .667 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 5.6 |
| Career | 145 | 140 | 39.6 | .528 | .222 | .719 | 11.2 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 3.3‡ | 25.9 | |