Hakeem Olajuwon

Date of Birth: January 21, 1963

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

Hakeem Olajuwon, often regarded as one of the greatest centers in the history of basketball, was born on January 21, 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria. He immigrated to the United States to play college basketball at the University of Houston, where he became a standout player and led the Cougars to three Final Four appearances. This team was famously known as “Phi Slama Jama” due to their high-flying playing style. Olajuwon was selected as the first overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, a draft class that also included legends such as Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. Over his 18-year professional career, Olajuwon became a two-time NBA champion, winning back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. He was named the NBA Finals MVP in both championship runs and earned numerous accolades, including the NBA MVP award in 1994, 12 All-Star selections, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Known for his exceptional footwork and agility, Olajuwon developed a signature move known as the “Dream Shake,” which left defenders befuddled. After retiring from basketball in 2002, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. Olajuwon has since been involved in various business ventures, including real estate, and has also dedicated time to mentoring young athletes.

5 Interesting Facts about Hakeem Olajuwon

1. Hakeem Olajuwon originally played soccer in Nigeria before switching to basketball at the age of 15.

2. He is the only player in NBA history to record more than 200 blocks and 200 steals in a single season.

3. Olajuwon changed the spelling of his first name from “Akeem” to “Hakeem” in 1991 to reflect the proper Arabic spelling.

4. He became a U.S. citizen in 1993 and represented the United States in the Olympics, winning a gold medal in 1996.

5. Olajuwon is a devout Muslim and observed fasting during Ramadan even while playing in the NBA.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hakeem Olajuwon

1. “I’ve always felt it was not up to anyone else to make me give my best.”

2. “I don’t think Michael had to retire for us to win the championship. That’s not what we were thinking. We just wanted to get to the Finals.”

3. “When I look at the system here, the opportunities are here. The only thing missing is your will and your determination.”

4. “I always felt that I was a good player, but I never felt that I was the best player.”

5. “I’ve always felt that I’m blessed to have the talent and the opportunity to do something special in the NBA.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Hakeem Olajuwon’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $200 million, largely accrued through his successful NBA career and subsequent real estate investments.