Hakeem Olajuwon

About

Hakeem Olajuwon, known as "The Dream," is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player. Born on January 21, 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria, he rose to prominence in the NBA as a dominant center. Olajuwon started playing basketball at age 15, having previously played soccer and handball. He was recruited by the University of Houston, where he led the Cougars to three Final Four appearances and was named the Most Outstanding Player in 1983. His impressive college career led to him being drafted first overall by the Houston Rockets in 1984. Olajuwon is renowned for his exceptional footwork and signature "Dream Shake" move, which confounded defenders. He led the Rockets to consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, earning Finals MVP both times. Olajuwon was also the NBA MVP in 1994 and Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 and 1994. He holds the NBA record for most blocked shots with 3,830. After retiring in 2002, Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. His legacy extends beyond his playing career, as he has mentored top players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.