Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (/laun/; Yoruba: ; born January 21, 1963), formerly known as Akeem Olajuwon, is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player. He averaged 33.0 points on .531 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.81 blocks in the 1995 Playoffs. Compare the numbers of the three finalists for the leagues top defensive honor. Hes the best pulling center in this draft class and he consistently terrorizes defenders at the second level. In 2022, the NBA renamed its Defensive Player of the Year award as The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy. Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by HakeemTheDream1, Sep 9, 2007. I don't think Michael had to retire for us to get the spotlight, because when you win, it commands attention. On defense, the big man can rebound and block shots. Hakeem Olajuwon made $16,700,000 in 2001. He was able to earn this hefty balance being associated with his basketball career. Michael Jordan had returned from an 18-month hiatus in March 1995, and his Chicago Bulls dominated the league for the next three years (199698). [81][82] In September 2009, he also worked with Kobe Bryant on the post moves and the Dream Shake. He weighed and weighs 215 pounds and has a wingspan of 6 8.75" and a standing reach of 8 0". Hes a grinder who has experience at right guard and left tackle (he looked much more comfortable inside). $3,999.99. He returned to play close to a full schedule during the lockout season of 1998-99. Hakeem Olajuwon #/49 $224.50 2017-18 Panini Status - Factions - Blue #21 Clyde Drexler, Robert Horry, Hakeem Olajuwon [BGS 9.5 GEM MINT] $178.30 1986-87 Fleer - Stickers #9 Hakeem Olajuwon [PSA 8 NMMT] $219.00 1997-98 Fleer Ultra - Ultrabilities - Superstar #18 SS Hakeem Olajuwon 2 from $120.27 1986-87 Fleer - [Base] #82 That is the shake. 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. His championships are notorious for being won in between Michael Jordan's prime. Thirty years ago today Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon became only the third play in NBA history to record a quadruple-double with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists. He combined with the 7feet 4inches (224cm) Ralph Sampson to form a duo dubbed the "Twin Towers". Born place: Lagos, Nigeria. Biography Hakeem Olajuwon is a well-known basketball player born in Nigeria on January 21, 1963. Pronunciation: \ah-KEEM ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn\. Hakeem played center and Sampson was PF during the Twin Tower days in the 80's. UnimpassionedBash 5 yr. ago. There are 15 players in the Draft who have a 7-0+ wingspan, and 13 of them are 6-7 1/2 or taller. During this run, Olajuwon came back from two serious injuries. He credits his parents with instilling virtues of hard work and discipline into him and his siblings: "They taught us to be honest, work hard, respect our elders, and believe in ourselves. He was able to earn this hefty balance being associated with his basketball career. Projected: Round 1, 2. Akeem OLAJUWON Hakeem 1986 Fleer ROOKIE CARD #82 PSA 7 NM HOF . [84] In the 2011 offseason, LeBron James flew to Houston and spent time working with Olajuwon. [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. ft inches. Before I come down, I make my move. Compare 0; Music. The best footwork I've ever seen from a big man. The transformation was apparent when the Rockets advanced to the 1993 Western Conference Semifinals. I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success. So kids steal these shoes from stores and from other kids. The Dream Shake is you dribble and then you jump; now you don't have a pivot foot. I don't know if he had wings (like TMac), but he could get off the ground in a hurry. The Rockets were defending an 8684 lead when in the last second, Knicks guard John Starks (who had already scored 27 points) went up for what would have been a Finals-winning three. There are many ethnic groups. John Michael Schmitz (Sr., Minnesota, 6-3, 301), Schmitz has been one of the best offensive lineman in the nation since he became a starter way back in 2019. His full name is Hakeem Abdul . T-Mac was measured 6'6.25" barefoot. ", "Hakeem: For the record/'Kunta Kinte' image was way off". I didn't dabble in the faith, I gave myself over to it. At that time, before the NBA Draft Lottery was introduced in 1985, the first pick was awarded by coin flip. Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria, Draft: Ok, I definitely jumped the gun on the photoshop thing, but this is definitely not a reliable source of height. [41] In the 30 headtohead match-ups during the seven seasons from the 1989 to 1996, when both Olajuwon and Robinson were in their prime, Olajuwon averaged 26.3 points per game, shooting 47.6% from the field, while Robinson averaged 22.1 and 46.8%. He is know. He retired from the game as one of only 4 . [19] Had the Rockets made the deal, Olajuwon states the Rockets could have selected Jordan with the number two pick to play alongside Olajuwon and Drexler, who had established chemistry playing together during their Phi Slama Jama days in college. After Sampson was traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1988, Olajuwon became the Rockets' undisputed leader. "[10] The Dream Shake was very difficult to defend, much like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky-hook. He never looked seven feet. [78] Olajuwon splits his time between Jordan, where he moved with his family to pursue Islamic studies,[10] and his ranch near Houston. [25] This willingness to pass the ball increased his scoring, making it more difficult for opposing teams to double and triple-team him. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, NBA Legends: Profiling the league's greats, Warriors' Green ejected from Game 2 for flagrant foul, Jackson Jr. named Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Interactive Stats Visuals for Kia DPOY Finalists, Ties broken for order of selection in '23 NBA Draft. Hakeem Olajuwon stepped up in overtime for the Rockets in Game 1 of the 1995 Finals. And when I break the fast at sunset, the taste of water is so precious.. Pronunciation: \ah-KEEM ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn\, Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon He stated, "Ive worked with a lot of players, but the one who really capitalized on it the most is Kobe Bryant. Here are my top 10 interior offensive linemen: 1. 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. Olajuwon spun counterclockwise and faked a jump shot. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich began his first full season with the Rockets, preaching defense and imploring the team to feed off of Olajuwons energy. Hakeem Olajuwon is considered the best center in NBA. 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? Projected: Rounds 4-7, BONUS: Chandler Zavala (Sr., NC State, 6-3, 316), Zavalas functional strength and movement skills are prototypical for the position and he committed zero holding penalties in 17 starts at Raliegh (he previously spent three seasons at Fairmont State in Division II). Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. [28] Olajuwon displayed perhaps the most impressive moments of his career during the playoffs. In the next three seasons he would average 26.1 points, 27.3 points and 27.8 points, respectively. Defense 86. Denver 1994 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston 1993 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston 1992 David Robinson . [10], One notable Dream Shake happened in Game 2 of the 1995 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. . In his sophomore and junior years he helped the Cougars advance to consecutive NCAA championship games, where they lost to North Carolina State on a last-second tip-in in 1983 and a Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown team in 1984. He averaged 3.09 blocks and 1.75 steals per game for his career. But in 1993-94, Olajuwon attained the pinnacle of achievement when he won both the league and NBA Finals MVP awards while leading Houston to its first-ever NBA crown. Hakeem Olajuwon, a 12-time All-NBA performer and 2-time Finals MVP, used finesse and power to lift the Rockets to a pair of titles in the mid-1990s. The ties were broken through random drawings conducted by NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars. Davis has a wingspan that reaches over 7'6" and it's his biggest strength. 11, Hakeem Olajuwon used his agility and athleticism to dominate on the court and inspire a generation William Guillory Feb 4, 2022 235 (Editor's note: Welcome back to The. Join us! He always made great decisions on the court. home/away, monthly, etc More Hakeem Olajuwon Basketball Reference pages. 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. . Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are . 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 smooth, athletic guard helped Portland reach the Finals twice and later won a title with Houston. For all facets of the game, I have to give it to him. Sow has proven patient in pass protection and comfortable on the move in the run game. He ended up a five-year starter and two-time All-MAC left guard. December 16, 2021 12:36 pm CT. Fresh off a career night with 19 points and 11 rebounds, rookie center Alperen Sengun wants to do even more in Houston. Born: January 21, 1963 in Lagos, Nigeria ng College: Houston High School: Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria "[71], Attending college was also an important priority to Olajuwon. However, his production was slipping and he played just two more years in Houston, averaging less than 12.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg. Hakeem Olajuwon is Nigerian-American former basketball player. Olajuwon joined the workouts and went head to head with Malone in several games throughout the summer. The following season was a low point for the Rockets during Olajuwon's tenure. . So he's frozen, he doesn't know which way I'm going to go. 1984-85 Star Hakeem Olajuwon #237. Hakeem Olajuwon is a two-time NBA champion, a former MVP and widely considered one of the greatest centers ever. Many of his battles were with his fellow Texas-based rival David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs. 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. And he certainly experienced a resurgence in 1992-93. Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth. 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). As Olajuwon declared: "How can a poor working mother with three boys buy Nikes or Reeboks that cost $120? His height puts in around the right range where you're able to make a lot of acrobatic dunks. Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our NewslettersSite Map, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |. He won the NBA rebounding crown (14.0 per game) again, this time by an even larger margin; a full two rebounds per game over David Robinson, and led the league in blocks by averaging 4.6 per game. Or write about sports? 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