Hakeem Olajuwon facts for kids
![]() Olajuwon signing autographs
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Personal information | |||||||||||||
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Born | January 21, 1963 Lagos, Nigeria |
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Nationality | Nigerian / American | ||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 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 | |||||||||||||
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Career NBA statistics | |||||||||||||
Points | 26,946 (21.8 ppg) | ||||||||||||
Rebounds | 13,747 (11.1 rpg) | ||||||||||||
Blocks | 3,830 (3.1 bpg) | ||||||||||||
Medals
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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 widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. 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" after one of his biggest idols, Moses Malone, who played for the Houston Rockets while Olajuwon played for the University of Houston Cougars men's basketball team.
Images for kids
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One of only five numbers retired by the University of Houston men's basketball team, Olajuwon's #34 hangs in Fertitta Center.