Hakeem Olajuwon

Nigerian-American basketball player · United States · Basketball Players · Born 1963 · age 63 · also Nigeria

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Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian and American former professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

A life in dates

2008Great Immigrants AwardAward1997NBA All-Defensive TeamAward1996Best NBA Player ESPY AwardAward1995All-NBA TeamAwardBill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player AwardAward1994“I respect a lot of players in this league. But to me basketball is just a little aspect of my life. I enjoy the game because it's fun. But it is a game.”In their wordsFebruary 1994Slam dunk - interview with basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon - Interview, Feb, 1994 by Spike Lee.Read the whole statement

“My life is very simple. I like simplicity and for my time to be my own, so that I have the freedom to devote the majority of it to Islam.”In their wordsFebruary 1994Slam dunk - interview with basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon - Interview, Feb, 1994 by Spike Lee.Read the whole statement

“The people who run the show in the NBA don't know anything about Islam. I think that may also be why some people are against me personally--because I am a Muslim.”In their wordsFebruary 1994Slam dunk - interview with basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon - Interview, Feb, 1994 by Spike Lee.Read the whole statement

All-NBA TeamAwardNBA All-Defensive TeamAward1993NBA All-Defensive TeamAward1991NBA All-Defensive TeamAward1990All-NBA TeamAward1988NBA All-Defensive TeamAward1987NBA All-Defensive TeamAward1985NBA All-Defensive TeamAward1984Houston RocketsClub1984-20011983NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding PlayerAward1981Houston Cougars men's basketballClub1981-19841963Born21 January 1963

Also in Deutsch

Photos 6

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

Olajuwon holding his Houston Rockets jersey at conference announcing his signing.

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

Olajuwon signing autographs

Olajuwon and Michael Jordan in 1985

In their own words 4

Hakeem Olajuwon

4 statements, newest first

I respect a lot of players in this league. But to me basketball is just a little aspect of my life. I enjoy the game because it's fun. But it is a game.
Feb 1994, Slam dunk - interview with basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon - Interview, Feb, 1994 by Spike Lee., Own words
My life is very simple. I like simplicity and for my time to be my own, so that I have the freedom to devote the majority of it to Islam.
Feb 1994, Slam dunk - interview with basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon - Interview, Feb, 1994 by Spike Lee., Own words
The people who run the show in the NBA don't know anything about Islam. I think that may also be why some people are against me personally--because I am a Muslim.
Feb 1994, Slam dunk - interview with basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon - Interview, Feb, 1994 by Spike Lee., Own words

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Teams 3

Houston Rockets1984-2001

Houston Cougars men's basketball1981-1984

Toronto Raptors

Awards

Great Immigrants Award2008

All-NBA Team1999

All-NBA Team1997

NBA All-Defensive Team1997

All-NBA Team1996

NBA All-Defensive Team1996

Best NBA Player ESPY Award1996

All-NBA Team1995

Best NBA Player ESPY Award1995

Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award1995

All-NBA Team1994

NBA All-Defensive Team1994

Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award1994

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award1994

NBA Most Valuable Player Award1994

All-NBA Team1993

NBA All-Defensive Team1993

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award1993

All-NBA Team1991

NBA All-Defensive Team1991

All-NBA Team1990

NBA All-Defensive Team1990

All-NBA Team1989

All-NBA Team1988

NBA All-Defensive Team1988

NBA All-Defensive Team1987

All-NBA Team1986

NBA All-Defensive Team1985

NBA All-Rookie Team1985

Southwest Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year1984

NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player1983

1984 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans

FIBA Hall of Fame

Family

Hakeem Olajuwon

Children

Brothers and sisters

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About this person

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian and American former professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A center, he spent a majority of his career with the Houston Rockets and led them to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, before a short stint at the end of his career with the Toronto Raptors. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest centers of all time.

Country

United States

In common with Hakeem

Iman ShumpertAlso in 2016 NBA Finals Mini-Movie (2016)

Arvydas SabonisAlso in Arvydas Sabonis 11 (2014)

Larry BirdAlso in 2016 NBA Finals Mini-Movie (2016)

David RobinsonAlso in Arvydas Sabonis 11 (2014)

Klay ThompsonAlso in 2016 NBA Finals Mini-Movie (2016)

Bill RussellAlso in 2016 NBA Finals Mini-Movie (2016)

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