He is widely considered to be one of the greatest centers, as well as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.[3][4][5]. Although his athletic career began as a soccer goalkeeper and handball player, which ultimately helped give him the footwork and agility to balance his overpowering strength and size in basketball, he quickly became a dominating player at Houston. For his spectacular play, Olajuwon was awarded his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP award. Following his playing days, Olajuwon spent many NBA offseasons teaching some of the leagues young stars including Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire and others ways to improve their footwork in the post. Defense 86. [58], In 1980, before arriving in the US, Olajuwon played for a Nigerian junior team in the All-Africa Games. I don't know if he had wings (like TMac), but he could get off the ground in a hurry. We put four bodies on him. The Dream also had outstanding length and reach, which makes the two similar in stature. (if it was never cut): 916 cm or 9.16 meters (30 feet 0.8 inches) Nail length (if it was never cut): Top 5 songs on Billboard THE HOT 100 in . [7][8] He was the third of eight children. Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria. ``There is no dating process, no boyfriends and girlfriends in Islam,'' Olajuwon said in a statement issued Monday. . Hes a grinder who has experience at right guard and left tackle (he looked much more comfortable inside). Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. Hakeem Olajuwon. The Rockets won the series fairly easily, four games to one, shocking the sports world and landing Olajuwon on the cover of Sports Illustrated. he wasnt even center untill later in his career and he was shorter than ewing,robinson,shaq. T-Mac has a 7'2" wingspan but he is way shorter than Hakeem. Menu. Pronunciation: \ah-KEEM ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn\, Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon During his 18-year career, Nigeria-born Hakeem Olajuwon staked his claim as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points per game in 199091, but due to an injury to his eyesocket caused by an elbow from Bill Cartwright,[7] did not play in enough games (56) to qualify for the rebounding title. Olajuwon was selected first overall by the Rockets in the 1984 NBA draft. Jordan McFadden (Sr., Clemson, 6-2, 303), This three-year starter (former three-star recruit) and senior captain made double-digit starts at both tackle positions and was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (top ACC blocker) in 2022. I never knew Hakeem was 6'10.75" I always heard he was 6'10" flat. 1984-85 Star #237 PSA 7 Akeem Olajuwon True RC Rookie. With Robinson in the air, Olajuwon performed an up-and-under move and made an easy layup. He averaged 33.0 points on .531 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.81 blocks in the 1995 Playoffs. He ended up a five-year starter and two-time All-MAC left guard. Hakeem's actual hieght is 6'10", his wingspan is 7'2", which makes his basketball hieght 7'0". On the way there, they defeated the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers in a five-game Western Conference Finals. I know Hakeem was 6'10" but he always looked like he had very long arms which was one of the reasons he blocked so many shots. Hakeem Olajuwon is a two-time NBA champion, a former MVP and widely considered one of the greatest centers ever. He's currently listed at 7'2, has a 7'8 wingspan and a 9'7 standing reach. He played three seasons at Houston and help push the Cougars into the Final Four each year. Olajuwon pulled off a clutch play by blocking the shot as time expired. Shortly after his retirement, his No. This created some problems when he tried to play for the United States men's national basketball team initially. He finished second in the MVP race to Charles Barkley with 22 votes to Barkley's 59. Legacy. I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success. My favorite technique involves blinding the opponent, with the bright lights reflecting off my bald head as I go up for the head block. This new Olajuwon had evolved after the dispute with management prompted him to reflect and then rededicate himself. [55] He is the only center to rank among the top ten all-time in steals. . [72], In Olajuwon's college career and early years in the NBA, he was often undisciplined, talking back to officials, getting in minor fights with other players and amassing technical fouls. During the 198788 season, Sampson (who was struggling with knee injuries that would eventually end his career prematurely) was traded to the Golden State Warriors. This tells me all I need to know about his competitive spirit. He missed two weeks early in the season due to an accelerated heartbeat. Welcome to draft season! Davis has a wingspan that reaches over 7'6" and it's his biggest strength. Offense 97. [64], Olajuwon has referred to basketball as a science, and described his signature move in vivid detail: "When the point guard throws me the ball, I jump to get the ball. "[19] From 1991 to 1998, every NBA championship team included either Jordan or Olajuwon; furthermore, at least one of Drexler, Jordan, and Olajuwon was involved in every NBA Finals from 1990 to 1998.[20]. After averaging 26.9 and 23.2 points in 199596 and 199697 respectively, Olajuwon's point production dipped to 16.4 in 199798. Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. In the NBA Finals, the Rockets swept the Orlando Magic, who were led by a young Shaquille O'Neal. $5.10 shipping. Projected: Round 2, 5. On offense, he draws double-teams and creates opportunities. People don't realize he was in the top seven [in NBA history] in steals. Heres who Id sign, Draymond Green ejected from playoff game for flagrant foul, Svechnikov can only watch as Hurricanes open NHL playoffs, Kings beat Warriors 114-106 to take 2-0 series lead, Patrick Wisdom hits 2 more homers as Cubs pound Athletics, Brewers stay hot, top Mariners 7-3, but concern about Burnes, Fried shuts down Padres, Riley hits 2-run homer for Braves, Stars Pavelski leaves after a hit becomes minor on review. [15][17] Olajuwon won the 1983 NCAA Tournament Player of the Year award.[18]. Olajuwon was ineligible for selection to the "Dream Team" as he hadn't become a US citizen.[59]. With David Robinson guarding him, Olajuwon performed a cross-over, drove to the basket and faked a layup. Defense 96. With shoes he's probably around 6'1. His massive hands (11 1/4 inches) are almost impossible to escape once they're engaged. It would accomplish one of three things: one, to misdirect the opponent and make him go the opposite way; two, to freeze the opponent and leave him devastated in his tracks; three, to shake off the opponent and giving him no chance to contest the shot. Draymond Green is given a Flagrant 2 foul for stomping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis, who earns a technical foul for grabbing Green's leg. KG's basketball hieght is over 7' but he doesn't want ppl to know, I guess he feels he has an advantage if players think he's under 7'. [69], After Olajuwons rookie year he signed a 5 year agreement for $2.5 million, to endorse Etonic Shoes with a Signature line, the Dream Shoe. "The Dream Shake was actually one of my soccer moves which I translated to basketball. Olajuwon ended his career in the top eleven all-time in blocks. He averaged 5 points and 3.1 rebounds and had 8 assists and 6 steals in seven games. But the Rockets swept the series, making Houston the fifth NBA franchise to win back-to-back titles. [75] Olajuwon was still recognized as one of the league's elite centers despite his strict observance of Ramadan (i.e., abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours for about a month), which occurred during the playing season throughout his career. His maturation as a player and in his faith carried onto the floor as a team leader, offensive powerhouse and defensive stalwart. His technique needs to tweaked to improve inconsistent balance or maybe a move inside will do the trick. Still, he would say, I find myself full of energy, explosive. For all facets of the game, I have to give it to him. [62] He is one of only four players to have recorded a quadruple-double in the NBA, which have only been possible since the 197374 season, when blocked shots and steals were first kept as statistics in the NBA. I saw all these blessings God had given me. Compare his height, weight, shoe size, eyes, hair color, religion beliefs with other celebs. "[7] Olajuwon himself traced the move back to the soccer-playing days of his youth. When redirected by staff not to use the chair, Hakeem could initially not dunk the basketball. However, his production was slipping and he played just two more years in Houston, averaging less than 12.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg. How do they figure out a player's wingspan? I grew up in an environment at schools where there were all different types of people. Maybe 6'0.5. He was a First Team All-America selection that season, but Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas defeated Olajuwons Cougars 84-75 in the championship game. 1 draft pick for the Houston Rockets in 1984, Olajuwon paired up with the 7-foot-4-inch Ralph Sampson to create a basketball duo known as the Twin Towers. He could extend 12 feet, 5 inches from a standing position. The following season was a low point for the Rockets during Olajuwon's tenure. Olajuwon improved his passing in 199293,[37] setting a new career-high of 3.5 assists per game. Olajuwon scored 75 points in victories in games three and four, and after the series Lakers coach Pat Riley remarked "We tried everything. Olajuwon averaged 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.68 blocks in his rookie season. Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the most decorated players in basketball history with 12 All-Star berths, an MVP award and two Defensive Player of the Year awards among his many. Born: January 21, 1963 in Lagos, Nigeria ng College: Houston High School: Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria Ok, I definitely jumped the gun on the photoshop thing, but this is definitely not a reliable source of height. But not if you play with speed, with agility. Harris, Othello, Nolte, Claire Elaine, and Kirsch, George B. He is currently 6 feet 10 inches tall but may have lost a few inches due to age. His foot size was also about 22 inches, one of the largest in the NBA. [79] Olajuwon has worked with several NBA players, including power forward Emeka Okafor,[80] and center Yao Ming. Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 18 April 2023, at 01:19. DR34M, Position: Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves. He is an incredible player in the history of the NBA. [68], In addition to English, Olajuwon is fluent in French, Arabic, and the Nigerian languages of Yoruba and Ekiti. He was twice named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and was a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection. Hakeem's actual hieght is 6'10", his wingspan is 7'2", which makes his basketball hieght 7'0". He would awaken before dawn to eat precisely seven dates the traditional Muslim fast-breaking food and to drink a gallon of water. If I had to pick a center [for an all-time best team], I would take Olajuwon. Although the talented Jordan was also available (he would be picked third by the Chicago Bulls), almost all in the basketball world thought Olujawon was the correct selection at No. Thus, the fickle flips of a coin created the Twin Towers of 7-foot Olajuwon and 7-foot-4 Sampson two agile giants. His college career for the Cougars included three trips to the Final Four. At the University of Houston, Olajuwon was a physical education major. Sometimes they kill for them. He was also named NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the first time, while reclaiming spots on the All-NBA First Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Net Worth, Salary & Earnings of Hakeem Olajuwon in 2023. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. [11], Despite early struggles, Olajuwon said: "Basketball is something that is so unique. Olajuwon dominated Ewing in their headtohead match-up, outscoring him in every game of the series and averaging 26.9 points per game on 50% shooting, compared to Ewing's 18.9 and 36.3%. "[7] Olajuwon has expressed displeasure at his childhood in Nigeria being characterized as backward. From 1984 to 2002, he played center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets and, in his last season, the Toronto Raptors.He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and . Olajuwon attended the 2013 NBA draft to bid farewell to retiring commissioner David Stern as Stern made his announcement for the final pick of the first round. He won rebounding titles in 1989 and 1990, averaging 13.5 and 14.0 boards, respectively. Examples of in a sentence It might be easy to forget that Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the NBA's all-time greatest centers, suited up for the Toronto Raptors.Olajuwon played 18 seasons in the NBA, earning a pair of championships and 12 NBA All-Star appearances. Position C. Height 7'0" (213cm) Wingspan 7'3" (220cm) Weight 255 lbs (115 kg) Team Houston Rockets. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft 2015 Mock Draft History Complete Draft History Draft Lottery History . This performance was consistent with his averages of 24.8 points and 3.4 blocks. The centers defensive prowess put an end to the Knicks attempt to win the series in Game 6, when he blocked John Starks potential game-tying three-point shot at the end of the game. That's the way the game is going. [7] He is considered a Houston icon and one of the city's most beloved citizens. Born place: Lagos, Nigeria. "[16] He and his teammates (including Clyde Drexler) formed what was dubbed "Phi Slama Jama", the first slam-dunking "fraternity", so named because of its above-the-rim prowess. Hakeem Olajuwon, in full Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, byname the Dream, (born January 21, 1963, Lagos, Nigeria), Nigerian-born American professional basketball player who led the Houston Rockets to consecutive National Basketball Association (NBA) championships in 1994 and 1995. $6.00. While playing among legendary competition during his career, Olajuwon emerged as one of the best players in NBA history. In the NBA Finals, Houston met the Magic and the leagues great young center, ONeal. From the Vault: Yao Ming and Hakeem Olajuwon work out. "[9], During his youth, Olajuwon was a soccer goalkeeper, which helped give him the footwork and agility to balance his size and strength in basketball, and also contributed to his shot-blocking ability. He dropped references to Abdul prior to entering the NBA and officially adopted Hakeem on March 9, 1991. I didn't dabble in the faith, I gave myself over to it. The Rockets went from a 29-53 record before Olajuwons arrival to a 48-34 mark, but they were eliminated in five games by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 1985 NBA Playoffs. [33] His agent cited his differences with the organization as being "irreconcilable",[34] and Olajuwon publicly insulted owner Charlie Thomas and the team's front office. When he played an afternoon game, he would pant for water but did not drink a drop. He averaged 3.09 blocks and 1.75 steals per game for his career. Theres a long list of injuries beyond the ACL in March, but his mental and physical toughness is unimpeachable and he has starting experience at both guard positions and left tackle. He's one of the richest NBA players to play the game. 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