He is an incredible player in the history of the NBA. [15][17] Olajuwon won the 1983 NCAA Tournament Player of the Year award.[18]. 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. Before I come down, I make my move. 2007 Ultra SE Gold Medallion #251 Hakeem Olajuwon: $5.53: 2007 Ultra SE Season Crowns #SC6 Hakeem Olajuwon: $0.65: 2007 Ultra SE Snap Shots #SS17 Hakeem Olajuwon: $1.77: 2007 Upper Deck Artifacts #173 Hakeem Olajuwon: $1.73: 2007 Upper Deck Champions of the Court #HO Hakeem Olajuwon: $2.22: 2007 Upper Deck Chronology #38 Hakeem Olajuwon: $4.00 Hakeem Olajuwon was drafted by Houston Rockets, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1984 NBA Draft. On a night when he labored with his shot and was 3-for-19 from the field, Russell Westbrook made up for all the misfires by doing a little bit of everything for the Clippers in a tightly contested . He averaged 33.0 points on .531 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.81 blocks in the 1995 Playoffs. Season 3 Deck the Hall. 1998-99 Upper Deck Black Diamond - [Base] - Triple Diamond #39. 34 Rockets jersey and pulled off a turn-around jumper that delighted the current NBA stars on the Team Africa and Team World rosters. Olajuwon was noted as sometimes playing better during the month of Ramadan, and in 1995 he was named NBA Player of the Month in February, even though Ramadan began on February 1 of that year.[7][76]. "[36], Nonetheless, he was not traded and the Rockets began the season with a new coach, Rudy Tomjanovich. The following year, after a lackluster regular season, Olajuwon's Rockets swept Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic in 4 games. He's basing it on quickness, but the jump is to set him up. That immediately I pick up the game and, you know, realize that this is the life for me. [7] It has been said that a coach in Nigeria once asked him to dunk and demonstrated while standing on a chair. Davis has a wingspan that reaches over 7'6" and it's his biggest strength. In a new interview with The Athletic, Rockets beat writer Kelly Iko writes that Sengun's "eyes light up . Olajuwon was born to Salim and Abike Olajuwon, working-class Yoruba owners of a cement business in Lagos, Nigeria. Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon 10 of 30 The most talented big man to ever play the game, Hakeem Olajuwon was nearly impossible to stop because of the wide array of post moves that he possessed. Olajuwon was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft, a draft that included Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. He's more than three inches closer. This change also coincided with the hiring of new coach Don Chaney. The former G League standout talks family, injuries and his path to the BAL in lieu of Nile Conference play on April 26. The two led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. Hakeem Olajuwon. 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. Olajuwon put up one of the most productive defensive seasons by an interior player in the history of the NBA. Net Worth, Salary & Earnings of Hakeem Olajuwon in 2023. 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]. He played three seasons at Houston and help push the Cougars into the Final Four each year. He was twice named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and was a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection. [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 technique needs to tweaked to improve inconsistent balance or maybe a move inside will do the trick. His college career for the Cougars included three trips to the Final Four. To paraphrase Shakespeare; a great basketball player by any other name is still a great basketball player. 1984-85 Star #237 PSA 7 Akeem Olajuwon True RC Rookie. How do they figure out a player's wingspan? I never knew Hakeem was 6'10.75" I always heard he was 6'10" flat. He dropped references to Abdul prior to entering the NBA and officially adopted Hakeem on March 9, 1991. He became the first non-American to be an NBA All-Star and start in an NBA All-Star Game, the first non-American to win the NBA MVP, the first non-American to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and in the 199394 season became the first player in NBA history to win the NBA's MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season. ", "Hakeem: For the record/'Kunta Kinte' image was way off". Navigation ToggleNBA Games Home Tickets Schedule 2022-23 Season Schedule League. He led the league in rebounding twice (1989, 1990) and blocks three times (1990, 1991, 1993). But on a flight to Japan, where the Rockets played the first two games of the 1992-93 season against the Seattle SuperSonics, Olajuwon and Houston owner Charlie Thomas smoothed out their differences. But this jump is the set-up for the second move, the baseline move. 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. Olajuwon also became the Rockets all-time leading scorer when he passed Calvin Murphy early in the season. With a fortune like that, Olajuwon, his wife Dalia Asafi and their four children Rahmah, Aisha, Abdullah and Abdul are set for life. Legacy. At the ceremony, it was announced that a life-sized statue of Olajuwon would be on display at the Rockets new downtown arena, scheduled to open for the 2003-04 season. One way to do that is with the help of legendary Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon. 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. I've head numerous play-by-play and color guys comment on this on the air. Playoffs; Olajuwon Plays Above the Rim, in the Stratosphere, "ROCKETS: Hakeem Olajuwon: The NBA's Best in the Mid '90s", "San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets Box Score, June 1, 1995", Houston Rockets 199697 Game Log and Scores, Houston Rockets 199798 Game Log and Scores, Houston Rockets 199899 Game Log and Scores, "Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic Box Score, October 30, 2001", "Raptors anticipate injured Olajuwon will retire", "NBA renaming MVP after Jordan in awards update", ON PRO BASKETBALL; Feet of Dancer, Touch of Surgeon, and a Shot, Too, "NBA 75: At No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Rockets. Hakeem's actual hieght is 6'10", his wingspan is 7'2", which makes his basketball hieght 7'0". Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Olajuwon was the first pick announced by Stern back in 1984. In 1991-92, he missed seven contests early in the season after an episode of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat). ). Season 2 Glitched. The dominant center is starting to get eliminated. Foreign-born players migrating to U.S. college basketball in ever-higher numbers. [7] Additionally, Olajuwon became a skilled dribbler with an ability to score in "face-up" situations like a perimeter player. After winning the championships, Olajuwon maintained his productive play over the next two seasons. The smooth, athletic guard helped Portland reach the Finals twice and later won a title with Houston. Advertisement. . He could extend 12 feet, 5 inches from a standing position. Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria. 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'. Measurements can only tell us so much. In the next three seasons he would average 26.1 points, 27.3 points and 27.8 points, respectively. [22] He finished as runner-up to Michael Jordan in the 1985 Rookie of the Year voting, and was the only other rookie to receive any votes. The best footwork I've ever seen from a big man. The two big men had similar numbers as Olajuwon averaged 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists to ONeals 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Hakeem Olajuwon has a net worth of $300 million. 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. At the University of Houston, Olajuwon was a physical education major. Olajuwon regularly placed among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and steals. 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. As a No. There are durability concerns. 00:00 / 00:00. His massive hands (11 1/4 inches) are almost impossible to escape once theyre engaged. And the reason I would take Olajuwon is very simple: he is so versatile because of what he can give you from that position. For his NBA career, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points on 51% shooting, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.1 blocks in 1,238 career games. In February, Olajuwon was reunited with college teammate Drexler, who came over from the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade for forward Otis Thorpe. [89], On August 1, 2015, Olajuwon made a special appearance for Team Africa at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game. Cody Mauch (Sr., North Dakota St., 6-5, 302), Mauch is an impressive athlete who began his collegiate career as a 220-plus pound tight end and has developed into a 302-pound offensive tackle who is an impact player in the run and pass game. Hakeem Olajuwon was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 2008 (Full List) For all facets of the game, I have to give it to him. In October 2021, Olajuwon was honored as one of theleague's greatest players of all-time by being named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team. When I dribble I move it so when I come here, I jump. $5.30 shipping. . Welcome! If that's true then how do you explain that Shaq is almost 4" taller than Kemp, and has a 7'7" wingspan and 9'8" standing reach (same as Yao Ming), but Kemp's highest touch is 3" more than Shaq? For winning 2 championships for the Rockets in a difficult 90's era. Many of his battles were with his fellow Texas-based rival David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs. Olajuwon recalled: "I really believed that Houston was going to win the coin flip and pick the first draft choice, and I really wanted to play in Houston so I had to make that decision (to leave early). During his 18-year NBA career, Olajuwon earned more than $110 million in salary. Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth. He ended up a five-year starter and two-time All-MAC left guard. Robinson, who was voted the 1995 NBA MVP, fell for the fake and jumped to block the shot. It leaves out Wilt Chamberlain. Robinson, an excellent defender, kept up with Olajuwon and remained planted. [81][82] In September 2009, he also worked with Kobe Bryant on the post moves and the Dream Shake. He is currently 6 feet 10 inches tall but may have lost a few inches due to age. He weighed and weighs 215 pounds and has a wingspan of 6 8.75" and a standing reach of 8 0". That leaves out Shaq, Patrick Ewing. And even with the addition of Barkley before the 1996-97 season, which reinvigorated the Rockets, the team lost in six games to the Jazz in the Western Conference Finals. ft inches. I don't think Michael had to retire for us to get the spotlight, because when you win, it commands attention. "[7] Olajuwon has expressed displeasure at his childhood in Nigeria being characterized as backward. Hakeem Olajuwon is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player who played in the 'National Basketball Association' (NBA). In the series final three games, Olajuwon scored 40, 35 and 30 points to lead the Rockets. Career Summaries of the First 56 Final Four Most Outstanding Players, Milwaukee Bucks at Houston Rockets, March 29, 1990, Rockets return Kite to Orlando Heart problem causes center to fail physical, Olajuwon's salary short of fair market value, Olajuwon, Rockets trade shots/Club accuses star of feigning injury, Agent: Olajuwon remains firm on leaving Rockets, One more piece of bad news comes to the Rockets, Sun's Sir Charles tips MVP crown to Hakeem, Daily Dime: Special Edition The game's greatest giants ever, Hakeem Olajuwon: The NBA's Best In The Mid 90s, nba.com/history player summary-Hakeem Olajuwon, "Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors Box Score, December 1, 1994", 1995 N.B.A. "[10] The Dream Shake was very difficult to defend, much like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky-hook. The 198990 season was a disappointment for the Rockets. During an NBA season he observes Islams Ramadan, which includes periods of fasting. 3h 46m. All the other sports just become obsolete. His height (7) and skill in other sports, such as football, gave him an added benefit in the game. Hakeem Olajuwon is a two-time NBA champion, a former MVP and widely considered one of the greatest centers ever. That gives him 20 moves.. If Kobe. After Sampson was traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the Rockets' undisputed leader. [31] He also expressed displeasure with the organization's efforts to surround him with quality players. The Rockets ended the regular season with a record of 4537,[21] and Olajuwon finished the season as the league leader in rebounds (13.5 per game) by a full rebound per game over Charles Barkley. Do they just measure out both their arms? At that time, before the NBA Draft Lottery was introduced in 1985, the first pick was awarded by coin flip. Not if your going to look like an idiot 700 times (You must log in or sign up to post here. Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He has missed time in high school and college with ankle, knee and back injuries, the later which required season-ending surgery in 2021. $66.00. Because of stagnated contract negotiations, many thought he had played his last game for Houston at the end of the 1991-92 campaign. In Game 2, after Robinson had been given the trophy, Olajuwon took off. You don't solve Hakeem. Take a look back at Hakeem Olajuwon's best plays from the 1993-94 season. 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. Compare his height, weight, shoe size, eyes, hair color, religion beliefs with other celebs. In the Rockets' Game 1 win, Olajuwon scored 27 points while holding Robinson to 21. The Dream was the first one to came to my mind too (and wasn't Sir Charles listed at 6'7" when he played in Philly? Hes got about five moves, then four countermoves, said a stunned ONeal. 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 . Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (/ l a u n /; Yoruba: [olauw]; born January 21, 1963), nicknamed "the Dream", is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player. Compare 0; Music. dogeblessUSA 5 yr. ago. This performance was consistent with his averages of 24.8 points and 3.4 blocks. Hakeem Olajuwon. 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]. 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