Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon

“I have always felt it was not up to anyone else to make me give my best” – Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is a Nigerian-born American professional basketball player (now retired), coach and entrepreneur. Hakeem is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was nicknamed “the Dream” during his basketball career after he dunked so effortlessly that his college coach said it “looked like a dream”.

Hakeem’s sports career began in Nigeria where he was born. He participated in soccer, handball and basketball at his school, Muslim Teachers College, Lagos. Hakeem Olajuwon relocated to America only with a vision and an extraordinary ability to learn the game of basketball. Blessed with soft hands, great balance, and a flawless footwork, “Hakeem the Dream” played the better part of his career in his adopted home of Houston, Texas.

Hakeem Olajuwon is an alumnus of the University of Houston where he became the University’s star, leading the basketball team to both state and national victory. As a budding star, Hakeem left college after his junior year and was selected by the Houston Rockets with the first pick in the 1984 NBA draft.

As a rookie, the Rockets reached the playoffs in his first year with the team, as Hakeem’s impact was felt from day one. He eventually led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships making the Rockets the fifth NBA franchise ever to win back-to-back titles. The dominance only increased from there on as he polished his skills and the trophies piled up. Six times an All-NBA first-teamer, Hakeem was also a fixture on the NBA all-defensive team.

Hakeem played the game of basketball with so much sophistication. Hakeem’s signature move known as the “Dream Shake,” a series of feints, spins, and drop steps performed close to the basket often confounded opposing defenders and left Hakeem with an open shot.

Hakeem reached the peak of his career in the mid-1990s. He was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons and was also the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1993–94. His MVP season was capped with a seven-game victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA finals, and Hakeem was named finals MVP for his achievements. He led the Rockets to a second championship the following year and was again named finals MVP. A 12-time All-Star, Hakeem was named one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players in 1996. He was the first player to be named NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP in the same basketball season.

Hakeem eventually retired in 2002, and to honor him, Houston Rockets retired his no. 34 jersey. At the time of his retirement, Hakeem ranked 7th in career points scored in the NBA (26,946) and 11th in career rebounds (13,748); he was also the league’s all-time leader in blocked shots (3,830).

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In 2006, Hakeem launched his first Big Man Camp where he coaches and grooms upcoming basketball players. He coached the likes of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and other NBA stars. To honor him and his astounding contribution to basketball, Hakeem was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016.

Hakeem’s legendary career is a definition of success built on hard work and diligence. We are highly inspired.