Olajuwon grew up in Lagos playing mostly soccer but changed his focus to basketball at the age of 15 because of his height, then six feet, nine inches. 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. Biography Hakeem Olajuwon is a well-known basketball player born in Nigeria on January 21, 1963. In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Olajuwon as the 11th greatest player in NBA history.[63]. Like my coach says, "you don't block shots with your head." 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'. 3 bids. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Tuesday, April 18, 4:47AM. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. During the 1995 postseason run culminating in Houstons second NBA championship, the Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic, two teams with great centers who were left bewildered by Olajuwons moves. Olajuwon suited up for Team Africa in his No. You haven't had a dominant center win a championship in 8 years, and don't talk about Olajuwon. The Rockets' two-year championship run ended when they were eliminated in the second round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs by the eventual Western Conference Champion Seattle SuperSonics. In 1993-94 he had a storybook season, becoming the first player to be named NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP in the same season. The companies were formed over a twenty-eight year period with the most recent being incorporated two months ago in January of 2023. 21 January 1963 in Lagos, Nigeria), basketball player who starred on the University of Houston team and the professional Houston Rockets, whom he led to consecutive National Basketball Association (NBA) titles in 1994 and 1995.Olajuwon was the third of six children born to Salam and Abike Olajuwon, middle-class Muslims who owned a thriving cement business in Lagos . [15][17] Olajuwon won the 1983 NCAA Tournament Player of the Year award.[18]. Olajuwon averaged 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game during his second pro season (198586). In Feet and Inches - 6 10 . After the 198384 season, Olajuwon debated whether to stay in college or declare early for the NBA draft. That gives him 20 moves.. He played in the late 80's until he retired in 2002. Akin to an athlete who shared his faith of Islam, Muhammad Ali, who devised the strategy of the rope-a-dope later in is career, Olajuwon introduced a new line of spins, fadeaway shots and jumpers, and he became virtually unstoppable on offense. Boom! 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%. He's just a great player. [49] When asked later what a team could do to "solve" Olajuwon, Robinson told LIFE magazine: "Hakeem? In 1983-84, Olajuwon averaged 16.8 points and led the NCAA in rebounding (13.5 rpg), blocked shots (5.6 per game) and field-goal percentage (.675). He weighed and weighs 215 pounds and has a wingspan of 6 8.75" and a standing reach of 8 0". Olajuwon scored 75 points in victories in games three and four, and after the series Lakers coach Pat Riley remarked "We tried everything. $6.00. [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. I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success. As a No. On defense, the big man can rebound and block shots. That immediately I pick up the game and, you know, realize that this is the life for me. 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. Like my coach says, "you don't block shots with your head.". 2020-21 PANINI ONE AND ONE Hakeem Olajuwon ( ROCKETS ) AUTOGRAPH AUTO Card /75. Projected: Round 2, Bradford is big, strong and produced an elite 1.66-second 10-yard split at the combine. Two years later, Olajuwon would receive another honor: induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. After that amazing accomplishment, Olajuwon went on to win a pair of NBA titles in 1994 and 1995, before retiring in 2002. Olajuwon then tried to stand on the chair himself. [11], Despite early struggles, Olajuwon said: "Basketball is something that is so unique. "[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]. "[10] The Dream Shake was very difficult to defend, much like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky-hook. International Stats at Basketball-Reference.com, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. He led the league in rebounding twice (1989, 1990) and blocks three times (1990, 1991, 1993). Slouching doesn't add height. 10 watching. You're tall enough to use your height to your advantage. I grew up in an environment at schools where there were all different types of people. Robinson, an excellent defender, kept up with Olajuwon and remained planted. Homepage Mock Drafts. [31][35] With the 199293 season approaching, a reporter for the Houston Chronicle said that Olajuwon being dealt was "as close to a sure thing as there is. He was a prolific scorer, averaging 21.8 points per game for his career,[7] and an above-average offensive rebounder, averaging 3.3 offensive rebounds per game. Then the marriage is arranged.'' The NBA star said he has worshiped for years at the same . He's more than three inches closer. This is the sixth of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL Draft (April 27-29). If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Defense 96. The Dream was recorded in bare feet at 6 feet 10.75 inches. Examples of in a sentence [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. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 92.4 overall grade to lead the country this season. Join our linker program. [55] He led the NBA in rebounding twice, during the 1989 and 1990 seasons. So kids steal these shoes from stores and from other kids. ft inches. "[23] The Rockets advanced to the 1986 NBA Finals where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics, whose 1986 team is often considered one of the best teams in NBA history.[24]. Executed with uncanny speed and power, they are still regarded as the pinnacle of "big man" footwork. Shaq was probably one of the most, of not the most phisically gifted player in the NBA. 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. He would follow with a prayer for strength and have no food or liquid until sunset. His massive hands (11 1/4 inches) are almost impossible to escape once theyre engaged. Projected: Rounds 4-5, 9. Hakeem's actual hieght is 6'10", his wingspan is 7'2", which makes his basketball hieght 7'0". Hed be an asset at guard in the NFL as well. 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. In the series final three games, Olajuwon scored 40, 35 and 30 points to lead the Rockets. Projected: PFA, Manchester City has a job to finish in the Champions League quarterfinals, Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard will remain with the Jumbo-Visma team until the end of 2027, Ryan Hartman scored 12:20 into the second overtime and the Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars 3-2 in their playoff opener Monday night, and into Tuesday morning, Alex Iafallo scored in OT to lift the Los Angeles Kings to a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers to open their first-round playoff series, Daniel Vogelbach homered and drove in three runs, Brett Baty delivered an RBI single in his season debut and the New York Mets rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-6 for their fifth straight victory. Nigerian-American basketball player (born 1963), Southwest Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, United States men's national basketball team, List of career achievements by Hakeem Olajuwon, List of National Basketball Association career games played leaders, List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association franchise career scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career blocks leaders, List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career minutes played leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff blocks leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association annual rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association annual blocks leaders, List of National Basketball Association players with most blocks in a game, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season rebounding leaders, "Olajuwon, Hakeem definition of Olajuwon, Hakeem in English from the Oxford dictionary", "Hakeem refuses to be shaken by Trump's Muslim ban", "Hakeem Olajuwon Remembered: The Best Center of All Time", "Where does Bill Russell rank among best centers in NBA history? Ok, I definitely jumped the gun on the photoshop thing, but this is definitely not a reliable source of height. Projected: Rounds 4-7, BONUS: Sidy Sow (Sr., Eastern Michigan, 6-4, 323), Sow played handball and competed in Olympic weightlifting (110 kilos) growing up in Quebec. ng, High School: Abisola represented the West Girls in the McDonald's All-American Game and played in the WNBA. [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. Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. With Robinson in the air, Olajuwon performed an up-and-under move and made an easy layup. [40] He outplayed centers such as Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dikembe Mutombo, and other defensive stalwarts such as Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone. Welcome to draft season! This new Olajuwon had evolved after the dispute with management prompted him to reflect and then rededicate himself. [54] After the season, Pippen was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. People don't realize he was in the top seven [in NBA history] in steals. As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. Olu Oluwatimi (Sr., Michigan, 6-2, 309), Oluwatimi committed to the Air Force before transferring to Virginia, initially as a walk-on before earning a scholorship. With a fortune like that, Olajuwon, his wife Dalia Asafi and their four children Rahmah, Aisha, Abdullah and Abdul are set for life. His height (7) and skill in other sports, such as football, gave him an added benefit in the game. Olajuwon is the only player in NBA history to record more than 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season. Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. I don't think Michael had to retire for us to get the spotlight, because when you win, it commands attention. On August 2, 2001,[55] after refusing a $13 million deal with the Rockets, Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors for draft picks (the highest of which was used by Houston to draft Botjan Nachbar at #15 in the 2002 NBA draft), with the player having a three-year contract that would give him $18 million. The defender is waiting for me to come down because I jumped but I'm gone before I land. Malone, who was then a center on the NBA's Houston Rockets, played games every off-season with several NBA players at the Fonde Recreation Center. The two led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. 6'1 or 6'2 becomes 6'3. T-Mac has a 7'2" wingspan but he is way shorter than Hakeem. [25] This willingness to pass the ball increased his scoring, making it more difficult for opposing teams to double and triple-team him. He and Sampson became the first teammates since Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor in 1970 to both average better than 20 points and 10 rebounds. inLagos,Nigeria 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. The team went on to win the gold medal in Atlanta. This change also coincided with the hiring of new coach Don Chaney. dogeblessUSA 5 yr. ago. Imo 6 foot in the NBA becomes 6'2. His technique needs to tweaked to improve inconsistent balance or maybe a move inside will do the trick. As Olajuwon declared: "How can a poor working mother with three boys buy Nikes or Reeboks that cost $120? 11, Hakeem Olajuwon used his agility and athleticism to dominate on the court and inspire a generation", The Dream Shake/Legendary, elusive move earns place in history, "SLAM 147: Hall of Famer and low-post wizard Hakeem Olajuwon is happy to share his knowledge with today's stars", "Hakeem Olajuwon's Net Worth: How "The Dream" Built a Staggering Fortune", "How Hakeem Olajuwon tried and failed to stop the 90s sneaker killings", "Can We Have Social Justice In A Commercial Culture? All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He buys in cash-only purchases, as it is against Islamic law to pay interest. There are many ethnic groups. Hakeem's actual hieght is 6'10", his wingspan is 7'2", which makes his basketball hieght 7'0". Do you have a blog? With the ball, Hakeem displayed a vast array of fakes and spin moves, highlighted in his signature "Dream Shake" (see below). Olajuwon was not highly recruited and was merely offered a visit to the university to work out for the coaching staff, based on a recommendation from a friend of Lewis who had seen Olajuwon play. How Hakeem Olajuwon tried and failed to stop the 90s sneaker killings Read more The Hall of Fame center chuckled when asked if he thought Trump as president would be devastating to American Muslims. (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 . Olajuwon was at the pinnacle of his career. Hakeem Olajuwon is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player who played in the 'National Basketball Association' (NBA). He would awaken before dawn to eat precisely seven dates the traditional Muslim fast-breaking food and to drink a gallon of water. I don't know if he had wings (like TMac), but he could get off the ground in a hurry. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors. He was the best center in the NBA at the time, so I was trying to improve my game against the best. They finished 4240,[21] and missed the playoffs for the first time in Olajuwon's career. [14], After redshirting his freshman year in 198081 because he could not yet get clearance from the NCAA to play,[9] Olajuwon came mostly off the bench and served as the Cougars' sixth man as a redshirt freshman in 198182, averaging 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, shooting 60% from the field in 18 minutes per game as Houston was eliminated in the Final Four by the eventual NCAA champion, North Carolina. Position C. Height 7'0" (213cm) Wingspan 7'3" (220cm) Weight 255 lbs (115 kg) Team Houston Rockets. 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. or Best Offer. > Archive 75: Hakeem Olajuwon| 75 Stories: Hakeem Olajuwon. [22] The Rockets finished 5131,[21] and advanced all the way to the Western Conference Finals where they faced the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Olajuwon was born in Nigeria on Jan. 21, 1963. For winning 2 championships for the Rockets in a difficult 90's era. Starting at one forward spot for the East squad, Barkley scored 17. He's one of the richest NBA players to play the game. Olajuwon played for 20 consecutive seasons in Houston, first collegiately for the University of Houston Cougars and then professionally with the Houston Rockets. I 'm gone before I land in bare feet at 6 feet 10.75 inches play the game because jumped... The East squad, Barkley scored 17 points to lead the Rockets in a.! I was trying to improve inconsistent balance or maybe a move inside will do the.. 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