Hakeem Olajuwon

Professional basketball player

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born January 21, 1963 in Lagos, Nigeria; pronounced ah-KEEM ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn), formerly Akeem Olajuwon, is a retired Nigerian-American basketball player. He is considered by some to be the greatest defensive player in basketball history. Hakeem Olajuwon travelled all the way from his home country of Nigeria to play basketball in the United States. He won two National Basketball Association (NBA) championships with the Houston Rockets. During his career, he was nicknamed "The Dream", often extended to "Hakeem the Dream", due to his grace both on and off the court. His best move was called the "Dream Shake". He also called himself "Little Moses"[1] after one of his biggest idols, Moses Malone. He played for the Houston Rockets while Olajuwon played for the University of Houston Cougars men's basketball team.

Hakeem Olajuwon
Olajuwon signing autographs
Personal information
Born (1963-01-21) January 21, 1963 (age 61)
Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian / American
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
CollegeHouston (1981–1984)
NBA draft1984 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career1984–2002
PositionCenter
Number34
Career history
19842001Houston Rockets
2001–2002Toronto Raptors
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points26,946 (21.8 ppg)
Rebounds13,747 (11.1 rpg)
Blocks3,830 (3.1 bpg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Basketball Hall of Fame as player
FIBA Hall of Fame as player
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Team competition

Other websites change

References change

  1. "Hakeem Olajuwon nickname". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 23 March 1983. p. 35 – via newspapers.com.