Hakeem Olajuwon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hakeem Olajuwon

Olajuwon in 2015
Personal information
Born	(1963-01-21) January 21, 1963 (age 62) Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian / American
High school	Muslim Teachers College (Lagos, Nigeria)
Listed height	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight	255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
College	Houston (1981–1984)
NBA Draft	1984 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Pro career	1984–2002
Career history
1984–2001	Houston Rockets
2001–2002	Toronto Raptors
Career highlights and awards
2× NBA champion (1994, 1995) 2× NBA Finals MVP (1994, 1995) NBA Most Valuable Player (1994) 12× NBA All-Star (1985–1990, 1992–1997) 6× All-NBA First Team (1987–1989, 1993, 1994, 1997) 3× All-NBA Second Team (1986, 1990, 1996) 3× All-NBA Third Team (1991, 1995, 1999) 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 1994) 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994) 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1985, 1991, 1996, 1997) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985) 2× NBA rebounding leader (1989, 1990) 3× NBA blocks leader (1990, 1991, 1993) No. 34 retired by Houston Rockets NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th) NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1983) Consensus first-team All-American (1984) NCAA rebounding leader (1984) SWC Player of the Year (1984) First-team All-SWC (1984) Second-team All-SWC (1983) No. 34 retired by Houston Cougars Houston Sports Hall of Fame (2018) Texas Sports Hall of Fame (1998)
Career NBA statistics
Points	26,946 (21.8 ppg)
Rebounds	13,747 (11.1 rpg)
Blocks	3,830 (3.1 bpg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1996 Atlanta Team competition

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born January 21, 1963) is a retired professional basketball player. He is also known by his nickname, "the Dream". Hakeem played as a center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1984 to 2002. He spent most of his career with the Houston Rockets, leading them to two NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.

Hakeem was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He moved to the United States to play college basketball for the University of Houston. After a great college career, he was the very first player picked in the 1984 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. This draft was famous for having many talented players, including Michael Jordan. Hakeem is considered one of the greatest centers and basketball players of all time. He was added to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

Early Life and Sports Beginnings

Hakeem Olajuwon grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. His parents owned a cement business. They taught him and his seven siblings to work hard and be honest. Hakeem says his childhood in Lagos was in a diverse city with many different people.

Before playing basketball, Hakeem was a soccer goalkeeper. This helped him develop quick footwork and agility. These skills later made him great at blocking shots in basketball. He didn't start playing basketball until he was 15 years old. He joined a local tournament while attending Muslim Teachers College in Lagos. Even though he struggled at first, he quickly fell in love with the game.

College Basketball Career

Hakeem came to the United States from Nigeria to play basketball at the University of Houston. He wasn't a well-known player when he arrived in 1980. He even had to take a taxi to the university because no one was there to meet him.

He didn't play his first year (1980–81) because of NCAA rules. In his second year (1981–82), he played as a backup. He averaged 8.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Houston reached the Final Four that year but lost to North Carolina.

To get better, Hakeem trained with Moses Malone, a top NBA center for the Houston Rockets. This training helped Hakeem improve his game quickly. He earned the nickname "the Dream" because of how easily he could dunk.

Hakeem and his teammates, including Clyde Drexler, were known as "Phi Slama Jama". This group was famous for their amazing slam dunks. Hakeem led his team to the NCAA championship games in 1983 and 1984. They lost both times, first to North Carolina State and then to a team led by Patrick Ewing. Hakeem was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament in 1983.

After the 1983–84 season, Hakeem decided to enter the NBA draft early. He hoped the Houston Rockets would get the first pick and draft him. His guess was right! The Rockets picked him first overall in the 1984 NBA draft.

Professional Career with the Houston Rockets

Early Years and the "Twin Towers" (1984–1987)

When Hakeem joined the Houston Rockets in 1984, the team quickly got better. Their record went from 29 wins to 48 wins in just one season. Hakeem teamed up with 7-foot-4 Ralph Sampson. They were called the "Twin Towers" because they were both so tall and dominant.

In his second season (1985–86), Hakeem helped the Rockets reach the 1986 NBA Finals. They surprised everyone by beating the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Even Lakers coach Pat Riley said, "He's just a great player." The Rockets eventually lost in the Finals to the Boston Celtics.

Becoming the Rockets' Leader (1987–1993)

After Ralph Sampson was traded in 1988, Hakeem became the Rockets' main star. He led the league in rebounds twice (1989, 1990). He also led the league in blocks three times (1990, 1991, 1993). He was known for his amazing defense.

In the 1989–90 season, Hakeem achieved a rare feat called a quadruple-double. This means he had double-digit numbers in four different stats in one game (points, rebounds, assists, and blocks). Only a few players in NBA history have ever done this!

Before the 1992–93 season, there was a disagreement about Hakeem's contract. He almost left Houston. But he stayed, and the team got a new coach, Rudy Tomjanovich. Hakeem improved his passing and scoring, leading the Rockets to a franchise record of 55 wins. They made it to the second round of the playoffs.

MVP and Championship Glory (1993–1995)

Hakeem became known as a "clutch" player, meaning he performed best in important moments. He showed he was one of the best centers ever during the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons. He often outplayed other great centers like Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, and Shaquille O'Neal.

In the 1994 NBA Finals, Hakeem led the Rockets to their first-ever championship. They played against Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks. In Game 6, Hakeem made a game-saving block in the final seconds. The Rockets won Game 7, and Hakeem was named the NBA Finals MVP.

In 1994, Hakeem made history. He became the only player in NBA history to win the MVP award, the NBA Championship, the Finals MVP award, and the Defensive Player of the Year award all in the same season! He was also the first player born outside the U.S. to win the league's MVP award.

The Rockets won another championship in 1995. They traded for Clyde Drexler, Hakeem's old college teammate. In the Finals, the Rockets swept Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic. Hakeem outscored O'Neal in every game and was again named Finals MVP.

Later Years with Houston (1995–2001)

After their two championships, the Rockets were stopped in the playoffs by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1996. Michael Jordan had returned to the NBA, and his Chicago Bulls dominated the league. The Rockets added Charles Barkley to their team in 1996–97. They had a great regular season but lost in the Western Conference Finals. Hakeem continued to play well, but his scoring slowly decreased in his later years.

Final Season with Toronto (2001–2002)

In 2001, Hakeem was traded to the Toronto Raptors. He played one season there, averaging career lows in points and rebounds. He decided to retire in 2002 because of a back injury.

Hakeem retired as the NBA's all-time leader in total blocked shots with 3,830. His No. 34 jersey was retired by the Houston Rockets, meaning no other player on the team can wear that number.

Playing for Team USA

Hakeem became an American citizen in 1993. This allowed him to play for the U.S. men's national basketball team. He was part of the "Dream Team III" that won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He shared playing time with other great centers like Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson.

Hakeem's Unique Skills

Hakeem Olajuwon was amazing on both offense and defense. He was quick and strong, allowing him to guard many different types of players. He was known for blocking shots and also for stealing the ball, which is rare for a big player. Hakeem is the only player in NBA history to have over 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season. He is also the only center to be in the top ten all-time for steals. He was a great rebounder and won the rebounding title twice. He also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice. In 2022, the NBA even renamed its Defensive Player of the Year award the "Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy" in his honor.

On offense, Hakeem was famous for his soft touch around the basket and his quick footwork. He had many fake moves and spins, especially his famous "Dream Shake." He was a high scorer, averaging 21.8 points per game in his career. He could also dribble and score like a smaller player.

The "Dream Shake" Explained

Hakeem's signature move was called the "Dream Shake." It was a series of fakes and spins that were incredibly fast and powerful. Many people say it's the best footwork ever seen from a big man.

Hakeem said the "Dream Shake" came from his soccer days. He explained that the move had three goals:

• To trick the defender into going the wrong way.
• To make the defender freeze in place.
• To create space for a clear shot.

The "Dream Shake" was very hard to defend. Even Shaquille O'Neal said, "Hakeem has five moves, then four countermoves – that gives him 20 moves."

One famous "Dream Shake" happened in the 1995 Western Conference Finals against David Robinson. Hakeem faked one way, then spun the other, making Robinson jump to block a shot that wasn't there. Hakeem then easily scored with an up-and-under move.

Hakeem described the move as a science. He would jump to catch the ball, but this jump was actually a setup. By jumping, he could land and choose which foot to pivot on, confusing the defender. This "shake" left defenders guessing which way he would go next.

Personal Life and Faith

Hakeem married Dalia Asafi in 1996, and they have four children. He also has an older daughter, Abisola, who played in the WNBA. Hakeem speaks English, French, Arabic, and Yoruba.

Hakeem became a very religious Muslim. He studied the Qur'an every day. In 1991, he changed the spelling of his name from Akeem to Hakeem to correct it. His faith became a huge part of his life. He was known for playing well even during Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. In fact, he was named NBA Player of the Month in February 1995, even though Ramadan started that month.

Hakeem also cared about affordable shoes for kids. He endorsed a sneaker that cost only $34.99. He said, "How can a poor working mother with three boys buy Nikes or Reeboks that cost $120? ... She can't. So kids steal these shoes from stores and from other kids. Sometimes they kill for them."

Life After the NBA

After retiring, Hakeem continued to be a beloved figure in Houston. He has been very successful in real estate, buying properties with cash because his Islamic faith forbids paying interest. He now splits his time between Jordan, where he studies Islam, and his ranch near Houston.

In 2006, Hakeem started his "Big Man Camp." Here, he teaches young basketball players how to play in the post, using his famous footwork. He does this for free because he wants to help younger players. He has worked with many NBA stars, including Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, and LeBron James. Kobe Bryant even said Hakeem was his best low-post student.

Hakeem was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. A sculpture honoring him stands outside the Toyota Center in Houston. In 2016, he was also added to the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Awards and Achievements

• 2× NBA champion (1994, 1995)
• 2× NBA Finals MVP (1994, 1995)
• 1× NBA MVP (1994)
• 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 1994)
• 6× All-NBA First Team (1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1997)
• 3× All-NBA Second Team (1986, 1990, 1996)
• 3× All-NBA Third Team (1991, 1995, 1999)
• 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994)
• 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1985, 1991, 1996, 1997)
• 12× NBA All-Star
• 1st place all-time in career blocks with 3,830
• Olympic gold medalist (1996)
• Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).
• Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team
• Olajuwon ended his career in the top eleven all-time in career blocks, points, rebounds, and steals. He is the only player in NBA history to retire in the top eleven for all four categories.
• Olajuwon was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2008, as well as to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016.
• Ranked #10 in ESPN's All-Time #NBArank: Counting down the greatest players ever (published in 2016)
• Ranked #12 in SLAM Magazine's 2018 revision of the top 100 greatest players of all time (published in the January 2018 issue)

Career Statistics

NBA Regular Season Stats

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
1984–85	Houston	82*	82*	35.5	.538	—	.613	11.9	1.4	1.2	2.7	20.6
1985–86	Houston	68	68	36.3	.526	—	.645	11.5	2.0	2.0	3.4	23.5
1986–87	Houston	75	75	36.8	.508	.200	.702	11.4	2.9	1.9	3.4	23.4
1987–88	Houston	79	79	35.8	.514	.000	.695	12.1	2.1	2.1	2.7	22.8
1988–89	Houston	82*	82*	36.9	.508	.000	.696	13.5*	1.8	2.6	3.4	24.8
1989–90	Houston	82*	82*	38.1	.501	.167	.713	14.0*	2.9	2.1	4.6*	24.3
1990–91	Houston	56	50	36.8	.508	.000	.769	13.8	2.3	2.2	3.9*	21.2
1991–92	Houston	70	69	37.7	.502	.000	.766	12.1	2.2	1.8	4.3	21.6
1992–93	Houston	82	82*	39.5	.529	.000	.779	13.0	3.5	1.8	4.2*	26.1
1993–94	Houston	80	80	41.0	.528	.421	.716	11.9	3.6	1.6	3.7	27.3
1994–95	Houston	72	72	39.6	.517	.188	.756	10.8	3.5	1.8	3.4	27.8
1995–96	Houston	72	72	38.8	.514	.214	.724	10.9	3.6	1.6	2.9	26.9
1996–97	Houston	78	78	36.6	.510	.313	.787	9.2	3.0	1.5	2.2	23.2
1997–98	Houston	47	45	34.7	.483	.000	.755	9.8	3.0	1.8	2.0	16.4
1998–99	Houston	50*	50*	35.7	.514	.308	.717	9.6	1.8	1.6	2.5	18.9
1999–00	Houston	44	28	23.8	.458	.000	.616	6.2	1.4	.9	1.6	10.3
2000–01	Houston	58	55	26.6	.498	.000	.621	7.4	1.2	1.2	1.5	11.9
2001–02	Toronto	61	37	22.6	.464	.000	.560	6.0	1.1	1.2	1.5	7.1
Career		1,238	1,186	35.7	.512	.202	.712	11.1	2.5	1.7	3.1	21.8
All-Star		12	8	23.2	.409	1.000	.520	7.8	1.4	1.3	1.9	9.8

NBA Playoff Stats

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

Images for kids

• 

  One of only five numbers retired by the University of Houston men's basketball team, Olajuwon's No. 34 hangs in Fertitta Center.

• 

  Olajuwon (right) defending Jawann Oldham on November 25, 1986

• 

  Olajuwon signing autographs

See also

In Spanish: Hakeem Olajuwon para niños

• List of NBA career scoring leaders
• List of NBA career rebounding leaders
• List of NBA career steals leaders
• List of NBA career blocks leaders
• List of NBA annual rebounding leaders
• List of NBA annual blocks leaders
• Islam in Houston