Hakeem Olajuwon Then and Now

Hakeem Olajuwon Then

Hakeem Olajuwon was born on January 21, 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria. During his youth, he was more involved with association football (soccer) and team handball rather than basketball.

His athletic abilities were evident early on, but it wasn’t until the age of 15 that he began to familiarize himself with basketball. 

Despite his late start, his natural talent and determination quickly became apparent. 

Standing 7 feet tall (2.13 meters), Olajuwon’s physical presence, combined with his agility and quick learning, made him a formidable player. 

His potential caught the attention of scouts, and after just two years of playing the sport, he was recruited to play collegiate basketball in the United States at the University of Houston.

Hakeem Olajuwon Career History

At the University of Houston, Olajuwon’s impact was immediate. In his first season, he helped lead the Houston Cougars to the Final Four of the 1982 NCAA tournament. 

The team, known for its high-flying style of play, reached the Final Four again in 1983 but fell short of the national championship in a dramatic upset to North Carolina State.

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Despite the loss, Olajuwon was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. 

In 1984, Houston advanced to the NCAA tournament’s final game once more but was defeated by Georgetown University, led by Patrick Ewing.

Olajuwon decided to enter the NBA after his junior year and was selected as the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA draft.

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He made an immediate impact, leading the Rockets to the playoffs in his rookie year and to the NBA finals in his second season, where they narrowly lost to the Boston Celtics. 

Despite some setbacks in the following years, Olajuwon’s individual performance remained stellar. 

His defensive prowess and offensive footwork, highlighted by his signature “Dream Shake,” made him one of the most dominant centers in the league.

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The pinnacle of Olajuwon’s career came in the mid-1990s. He was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons and earned the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 1993–94. 

That season, he led the Rockets to a seven-game victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA finals, earning the finals MVP award. He repeated this success the following year, securing a second consecutive championship and another final MVP honor.

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As he aged, injuries began to affect his performance, and in 2001 he was traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he played one season before retiring in 2002.

At the time of his retirement, Olajuwon ranked seventh in career points scored in the NBA (26,946) and eleventh in career rebounds (13,748). 

He also held the record for most blocked shots in NBA history (3,830). 

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A 12-time All-Star, Olajuwon was recognized as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players in 1996 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

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Hakeem Olajuwon Height

Hakeem Olajuwon, standing at an imposing height of 2.13 meters (7 feet), utilized his remarkable physical attributes to dominate the basketball court, both defensively and offensively.

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Hakeem Olajuwon Retirement

Hakeem Olajuwon retired from professional basketball in 2002 after an illustrious career that spanned 18 years. 

His final season was spent with the Toronto Raptors, following a storied tenure with the Houston Rockets, where he solidified his legacy as one of the greatest centers in NBA history.

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By the time of his retirement, Olajuwon had accumulated numerous accolades, including two NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, and the title of NBA’s all-time leader in blocked shots. 

Despite his production declining due to injuries and age in his later years, his impact on the game remained profound. 

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Olajuwon was celebrated for his exceptional defensive skills, signature “Dream Shake” move, and leadership on the court.

His contributions to the sport were further recognized when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, cementing his status as a basketball legend.

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Hakeem Olajuwon Wife

Hakeem Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi on August 8, 1996, in Houston, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his personal life.

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Together, they have four children, building a close-knit family. In addition to his children with Dalia, Olajuwon has an older daughter named Abisola from a previous relationship with Lita Spencer, whom he met during his college years. 

Balancing his professional achievements with his family responsibilities, Olajuwon has managed to maintain strong familial ties and continues to be a dedicated husband and father.

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Hakeem Olajuwon Now

Hakeem Olajuwon, now 61 years old, remains a prominent figure in the basketball community and beyond. 

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Known as “The Dream,” Olajuwon enjoyed a remarkable career as a professional basketball player, primarily with the Houston Rockets from 1984 to 2001, before playing his final season with the Toronto Raptors in 2001-2002.

Since retiring from the NBA, Olajuwon has stayed active in various capacities, including mentoring young players, sharing his expertise in basketball, and engaging in business ventures.

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Olajuwon is highly respected for his contributions to the game, particularly his development of the “Dream Shake,” a move that continues to influence players today. 

Beyond basketball, Olajuwon is involved in real estate investments and runs a successful business in Houston. 

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His legacy as one of the greatest centers in NBA history endures, and he frequently participates in basketball camps and clinics to inspire the next generation of players. 

Olajuwon’s life and career continue to be a testament to his skill, dedication, and influence both on and off the court.

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Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth

Hakeem Olajuwon, a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player, has amassed a net worth of $100 million through his successful career and subsequent business ventures.

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