Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, nicknamed ‘the Dream’, was born on January 21, 1963 in Lago, Nigeria. He is a former professional basketball player and played in the NBA from 1984 to 2002. Hakeem belongs to an upper-middle-class family that owned a cement business. He played center in the NBA for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. Olajuwon is a two-time NBA champion and won several awards and honors. During his career, Hakeem Olajuwon was always considered one of the greatest centers and basketball players.

Hakeem Olajuwon Early Life

Hakeem Olajuwon was born to a family of a businessman based in Nigeria. His parents owned a cement business in Lagos. Hakeem was the third of eight children in the family and he studied in some top schools. He admitted that his parents always taught him the lessons of hard work, discipline and respect for life. During his early years of life, Olajuwon played football as a goalkeeper.

He started playing basketball for the first time when he was 15 when he was in the Muslim Teacher College. Then he was around six feet and nine inches tall. Football helped him balance his size in basketball later. Hakeem became a pretty competent basketball player soon after he started playing the game. Given the lack of opportunities for basketball players in Nigeria, Hakeem Olajuwon moved to Houston and joined the University of Houston.

Hakeem Olajuwon NBA Journey

Hakeem Olajuwon earned a great reputation during his high school and college career. He came to the fore as one of the strongest contenders for the NBA draft. The NBA franchise Houston Rockets picked him in the 1984 NBA draft and started registering impeccable successes. Hakeem and Ralph Sampson got together to form the original NBA ‘Twin Towers’. In his rookie season, Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points and 11.9 rebounds. He averaged 23.5 points and 11.5 rebounds during his second pro season.

He witnessed his first full season in 1988-89 with the Rockets. The following season brought a total disappointment (41-41) for the Rockets. In the 1990-91 season, the Rockets finished with a record of 52-30 and Hakeem averaged 21.8 points each game. However, he missed several games due to an injured eye socket and was unable to qualify for the rebounding title. During the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons, Olajuwon emerged as a clutch performer and one of the top centers in NBA history.

Hakeem Olajuwon supported his team to enter the NBA Finals in 1993-94. They defeated the New York Knicks in a 7-game series in the final. He was also named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Hakeem became the only player in NBA history to acquire the championship, the MVP, the Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. Meanwhile, Olajuwon was also the first non-USA-born to win the NBA’s MVP award.

Olajuwon posted a triple-double 37 points, and 13 rebounds on December 1, 1994, in a victorious game against the Warriors. In the 1994-95 season, the Rockets moved ahead as champions again. They reached the NBA Finals again this season and swept the Orlando Magic in the final this time. Olajuwon averaged 33 points and 10.3 rebounds in the 1995 playoffs and was named Finals MVP again.

In the 1996 NBA playoffs, the Rockets’ two-season championship run came to an end when they were eliminated in the 2nd round. Further, they posted a 57-win season in 1996-97 season after adding Charles Barkley to the roster. Hakeem’s scoring production increased to 18.9 points per game. It also helped him win the 12th All-NBA Team. Hakeem Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors on August 2, 2001 after refusing a US$13 million contract with the Rockets. This was the time when the Houston Rockets underwent rebuilding by introducing young guards into the squad.

Hakeem played his debut game for the Raptors against the Magic and scored 11 points in just 22 minutes of play. He proceeded to record his career-low 7.1 points and 6 rebounds, expecting the season to be his last NBA season. Olajuwon decided to retire in 2002 due to a back injury. He retired averaging 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 1238 matches. The Houston Rockets also retired his jersey no. 34 soon after his retirement.

Hakeem Olajuwon Education

During his initial years of life, Hakeem Olajuwon showed interest in soccer and played as a goalkeeper. It improved his footwork and agility to balance his size in basketball. When he turned 15, he started playing basketball in the team of Muslim Teachers College. Olajuwon developed exceptional skills and stamina for the game at a small age.

Later, Hakeem travelled to Houston upon witnessing a few opportunities for basketballers in Nigeria. He joined the University of Nigeria to study and play basketball. Hakeem took no time to be one of the prominent players of his college team. Also, he became one of the top candidates for the NBA draft.

Hakeem Olajuwon Championship

After undergoing a magnificent and successful college basketball career, Hakeem presented himself as one of the top contenders for the NBA draft. He was traded by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA draft. In the 1993-94 season, Olajuwon helped his team to clinch the NBA title after beating the New York Knicks in the final. In the following season, Hakeem Olajuwon again displayed a splendid show of game and acquired another NBA championship for his team.

Hakeem Olajuwon Awards and Achievements

Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth

The retired NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His professional NBA career spanned around 18 years with the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. The 7ft-tall guy earned name, fame and fortune on the basis of his NBA career. He managed to collect a phenomenal amount of money through his professional contracts, salary, endorsements and much more. His net worth is estimated to be US$300 million. He is still working actively in real estate.

Hakeem Olajuwon Contract

Hakeem Olajuwon showed immense love and dedication to the game of basketball. In return, basketball also provided Hakeem with enormous fame, wealth and respect in the world. He was drafted in the 1984 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. Olajuwon signed a multi-year agreement with the franchise and re-signed it multiple times. In 2001, he shifted to the Toronto Raptors under a three-year contract worth US$18 million. In addition to that, Hakeem also made contracts with shoemakers to promote their brands.

Hakeem Olajuwon Family

Hakeem Olajuwon was born to a Nigerian family. His father Salim is the owner of a cement business in Lagos. His mother’s name is Abike. Surprisingly, Hakeem was the third of eight children of his parents. He never dated anyone since it is strictly prohibited in his religion. The athlete was involved in an arranged marriage in 1996 with Dalia Asafi. Their arranged marriage proved to be one of the most successful marriages America ever had. The couple is still together. Both have three daughters – Abi, Rahman and Aisha.

Hakeem Olajuwon Girlfriend

Due to his religious beliefs, Hakeem Olajuwon never dated any girl. Dating a girl is strictly prohibited in Muslims. He got an arranged marriage with Dalia Asafi in 1996 and they are living a happy married life together. They gave birth to three daughters named Abi, Rahman and Aisha.

Hakeem Olajuwon Dad

Hakeem Olajuwon’s father’s name is Salim Olajuwon. He was an owner of a cement business by profession during the childhood of Hakeem. Salim is the father of eight children with Hakeem being the third. He always taught his children good moral values, respect, and hard work.

Hakeem Olajuwon Shoe

During his early days in Houston, Hakeem wore hi-top Etonic sneakers. He also made a deal with Spalding. He promoted Spalding sneakers that are affordable and accessible for people with different financial backgrounds.