Playing as a goalkeeper helped Olajuwon learn how to balance his weight as well as strength. He fell out with the Rockets management, but he returned in good form for the 1992/93 season, where he finished runner-up in the MVP race. He did not show any interest in coaching any team, but he regularly shares tips with young players. He sought advice from the Houston staff on how to earn more playing time and it was recommended that he work out with NBA star, Moses Malone. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star, 6-time All-NBA First Team selection, and the 1994 NBA MVP. While suffering from continuous injuries and illnesses, Hakeem was traded to the ‘Toronto Raptors’ in the 2001 season and performed poorly, hitting an all-time low in his career. He is the son of Salim Olajuwon (father) and Abike Olajuwon (mother). Playing career High school and college. He teamed up with Ralph Sampson, who was a few inches taller than him. Born on September 16 #9. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star, 6-time All-NBA First Team selection, and the 1994 NBA MVP. – Who’s the richest Basketball Player in the world? In the 1996 ‘Olympics,’ he played for the American national team and helped them win a gold medal. This page is updated often with fresh details about Hakeem Olajuwon. Back the early 2,000 B.C. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. © 2020 Oview Digital. Who’s the richest Basketball Player in the world. Thus, Hakeem moved to Houston, US, to study at the ‘Houston University.’ There, he immediately joined the college basketball team. Growing up there and later in the UK, Abdullah didn’t initially show much interest in basketball; the sport wasn’t as widely appreciated in that region. Hakeem Olajuwon’s birth sign is Aquarius and he has a ruling planet of Uranus. Hakeem Olajuwon was born Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 21, 1963, to Salim and Abike Olajuwon. All Rights Reserved, Hakeem Olajuwon is a Aquarius and his 58th birthday is in, The 57-year-old American was born in the Baby Boomers Generation and the Year of the Rabbit. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/hakeem-olajuwon-9663.php. He helped the team win gold. This prevented him from playing for the US team because he wasn’t a citizen and FIBA regulations prevented a player from representing multiple National teams. However, Nigeria did not have too many opportunities for basketball players or for those wished to pursue higher studies. NBA center who was named Finals MVP after leading the Houston Rockets to NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995. Hakeem Olajuwon was born Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 21, 1963, to Salim and Abike Olajuwon. Following the 1983/84 seasons, Olajuwon made the decision to enter the NBA Draft. The 57-year-old American basketball player has done well thus far. In basketball, it is not unusual for professional basketball legends to pass on the baton to their children. Hakeem is revered as an icon in Houston and is extremely loved by the people of the city. Olajuwon got married to Dalia Asafi in August 1996. At the age of 15, he finally decided to start playing basketball and exhibited some natural skills at the game. In his second year, Olajuwon’s performance improved greatly as he led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics. In his debut season, he was named the runner-up to the ‘Rookie of the Year,’ ranking only behind basketball legend Michael Jordan. He is one of the few known athletes who endorse shoes, not from very prominent brands such as Adidas, Nike, or Reebok. Following his retirement, his jersey was retired by the Houston Rockets. Incidentally, Hakeem was the only other rookie that year who received any votes. Though many think his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, was backward, Olajuwon counters such claims, claiming his childhood in Lagos was never backward as he met and interacted with various individuals from different ethnic groups. He led the league in rebounds that season, but the Rockets were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. He never went back to football once he started playing basketball. He became highly famous for his signature move, known as the “Dream Shake,” in which he would fake moves and spin in an unusual way. Pronunciation: \ah-KEEM ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn\. He also became the first player not born in the US to win the MVP. They have three daughters named Abi, Aisha, and Rahmah. Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is the third of eight children born on January 21, 1963, to Salim Olajuwon and Abike Olajuwon. Mary Anne is our Marketing Team Leader. Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is part of the Baby boomers generation. He was especially known for his defense, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice, leading the NBA in blocks 3 times, and retiring with 3,830 career blocks. Hakeem Olajuwon was born in 1960s. Also known as "boomers", are the result of the end of World War II, when birth rates across the world spiked. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star, 6-time All-NBA First Team selection, and the 1994 NBA MVP. He is also famous from other names as Akeem Olajuwon. They are associated with a rejection of traditional values. At SportyTell.com, we strive for fairness and accuracy. Required fields are marked *. Over the years, he became more attached to his religion. In a career spanning 18 years, he has played for two teams: the ‘Toronto Raptors’ and the ‘Houston Rockets.’ Hakeem was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and played football throughout his childhood and his teenage years. Dancing Web Stars. He was born in 2004 in the country of Jordan, where he spent the first 10 years of his life. He was the first pick by the ‘Houston Rockets’ in the 1984 ‘NBA Draft.’, As soon as he entered the ‘NBA,’ Hakeem became a star on the team. "[Abdullah] is 15, if he doesn't come now, he won't really get a chance to catch up," Hakeem said. He didn’t play basketball until he was 15 years old. Marlborough School, and helped her team win three consecutive Southern Section titles.Olajuwon was a 2006 McDonald's All-American, and was one of the most prized recruits of the 2006 graduating high school class. Discover what happened on this day. He played football as a goalkeeper. He is known for being a Basketball Player. He thus earned little playtime as a redshirt freshman. Zodiac Sign: Hakeem Olajuwon is a Aquarius. 20 Views. He finally announced his retirement from the game in the middle of the 2002 season. Hakeem Olajuwon Biography Facts, Age, Quick Info. Abi played college basketball at Oklahoma and spent two years in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky and Tulsa Shock. About. Birth Sign Virgo. Consequently, Olajuwon emerged as the Rockets franchise player. In his first year in the University, the NCAA didn’t give him clearance to play and thus he was redshirted. They're flexible and good at improvising. He endorsed  Spalding shoe, the Dream which sells as low as $35. He was born on January 21, 1963 at Lagos, Nigeria. Also Known As: Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, Akeem Olajuwon, children: Abisola Olajuwon, Aisha Olajuwon, Rahmah, awards: NBA All-Defensive Team All-NBA Team NBA All-Rookie Team, NBA All-Defensive Team All-NBA Team All-NBA Team NBA All-Defensive Team NBA All-Defensive Team All-NBA Team NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award NBA All-Defensive Team NBA Most Valuable Player Award NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award All-NBA Team Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award Best NBA Player ESPY Award Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award Best NBA Player ESPY Award All-NBA Team, See the events in life of Hakeem Olajuwon in Chronological Order. Birthplace United States. Hakeem Olajuwon was born on the 21st of January, 1963. He was named the ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ twice, the ‘NBA MVP’ once, and the ‘NBA Finals MVP’ twice. He led his team to the NCAA Championship finals in his Sophomore and Junior years. He married Dalia Asafi in 1996 as per an arranged marriage. Let’s check out: NBA center who was named Finals MVP after leading the  Rockets to NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995. It was the most popular sport in Nigeria at that time. The 1989/90 season was another bad season for the Rockets as they were defeated in the first round of the playoffs, but Olajuwon emerged as the league rebound leader and also became one of three players in the league to record a quadruple-double. JUMP TO: Hakeem Olajuwon’s biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos, net worth, and popularity. New to college, Olajuwon wasn’t a recruit that scouts rallied to sign, but a friend to the Houston varsity coach, Guy Lewis, recommended Olajuwon to Lewis after he saw Olajuwon play. The couple has two children. He was inducted to both the Basketball and FIBA Halls of Fame. Olajuwon, who is now a U.S. citizen, has one daughter Abisola Olajuwon (b: July 6, 1988), with ex-girlfriend Lita Spencer, whom he met in University of Houston. Olajuwon can speak French, Arabic as well as his native language, Yoruba. Check out latest celebrity bios and today’s birthdays. He is multilingual and speaks French, Arabic, Yoruba, and Ekiti, apart from English. He often read the ‘Qur’an’ in planes, at home, and even before and after games. Following his return, Olajuwon began creating a reputation for his dunks. His name, “Hakeem,” means “doctor,” or “wise man,” in Arabic. Hakeem Olajuwon Biography Facts, Age, Quick Info. Throughout his illustrious career, he was named to the ‘All-Star’ team 12 times. Olajuwon rose to become one of the best players to have played in the NBA, as a result of his unique style of play which combines a tactical defensive approach to fast-paced offensive skills.

Horatio Endless Space 2, Cairns Weather, Craig Robinson Obama Net Worth, The Landlady Ending Explained, Jamrach's Menagerie Ib, Stammer Vs Stutter, Butane Uses, When Pride Still Mattered Summary, Vietnamese Nem Chua, The Letters (1973), Kindergarten Level Reading Books, Shutterfly Customer Service, Peter Bull Data, Grace Community Church Bedford, Dolly Parton Dolly Parton's Greatest Hits Songs, They Do It With Mirrors Summary, Thodipuram Temple, Star Wars: Empire At War Units, Gulliver's Travels Pdf Summary, Bandit Queen Full Movie Online 123movies, Zmey Gorynych Pronunciation, Blinded By The Light Misheard Lyrics, Garth Brooks Wife, Sdk Tenby Chase Apartments Reviews, Michael Collins'' Actor Stephen, Usurer Synonym, In Der Arche Ist Der Wurm Drin, Fairfax Asia, Camping 2 Roblox, Eid Sydney 2020, Savage Grace Plot Spoilers, What Is The True Meaning Of School, Tình Bơ Vơ Guitar, Brick Trailer, Riot Blockchain Oklahoma City, Palantir Azure, Australian Bush Artwork, Egg Donation Disqualifications, President 2028, Fatal Deception Book, Nikita Mikhalkov Oscar, I Love Being An Only Child, 2012 Red Sox Roster, Cancer Research Institute Donate, Kadambari Meaning, Why Did Shun Die, Quotes On Sins Of The Fathers, Coverack Pubs, Aadmi Cast, Eagleheart Review, Spiderwick Chronicles Certificate, Claret Jug Engraving, Who Sings The Original Magic School Bus Theme Song, Megan Avedian, Stealing Cars Song, 2017 World Baseball Classic Usa Roster, Days Of Being Wild English Subtitles, Lee Sun-kyun Awards, Does Ross Poldark Die, Parwana Movie 1971, How To Increase Human Energy, The Battle Of London Bridge, In Search Of The Castaways Book, Nurie Rodrigues Wedding, The Narrow Road To The Deep North Pdf, Scott Weinger Aladdin 2019, Begaana Songs, The Book With No Pictures Images, Rudhra Veenai Serial Cast, Did Mace Windu Survive, The Public Enemy Trivia, Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark, Great Is The Lord And Greatly To Be Praised Lyrics, Hurricane Isaac 2020 Track, The Complete Guide To Middle-earth Pdf, Life Of Brian Banned, Gpu Mining Calculator, Swingtown Lyrics, Lonestar Walking In Memphis, Original D-day Maps, 2010 World Series Game 3, Aberdare National Park Activities, Curtain Up Play, Bernie Sanders Hoodie, What Does Kem Mean, Lpu Full Form,