Hakeem Olajuwon Bio (Biography)
Real name:
Akeem Abdul Olajuwon
Date of birth:
January 21. 1963
Place of birth:
Lagos, Nigeria
Astrology Sign:
Aquarius
Height:
6' 10" (2.08 m)
Tags:
Biography
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is a former professional basketball player in the United States and best known for his years with then NBA's Houston Rockets.
Hakeem Olajuwon was born Akeem Adbul Olajuwon in Lagos, Nigeria on January 21, 1963. As a child, Hakeem was a soccer and handball player, which helped him become agile and balanced as a basketball player. His first basketball game was at the age of 15 when he entered a local tournament. From that moment, basketball was the game of his heart.
When he came of age, Hakeem Olajuwon emigrated from Nigeria to play basketball for the University of Houston. While in college, his university teams competed in three NCAA Tournaments, but never won the championship game. However, in 1983 even though his team lost the championship, he won the NCAA Tournament Player of the Year award. Hakeem Olajuwon became the top NBA prospect in the summer of 1984 and was the number one draft pick of the Houston Rockets. He was chosen over competitors Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.
With the Houston Rockets, Hakeem Olajuwon was part of two championship teams (1994 and 1995). After the 1993 basketball season, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States which made him eligible to join the Olympic Team in 1996. That team won the Olympic Gold Medal in Basketball. In 2001, Hakeem Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors. This was his final season as a basketball player. He is regarded as one of the five greatest centers to ever play the game.
Hakeem Olajuwon married his current wife Dalia Asafi in 1996. The two live with their family primarily in Jordan, where he practices the Muslim faith. His family also keeps a home in Houston, Texas where Hakeem Olajuwon is a renowned real estate mogul.
In 2006, he opened his first "Big Man" camp, which teaches young basketball players good techniques for being a force on the court. He runs the camp for free. In 2007 he will become eligible for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, many believe he will be inducted that year.
Hakeem Olajuwon was born Akeem Adbul Olajuwon in Lagos, Nigeria on January 21, 1963. As a child, Hakeem was a soccer and handball player, which helped him become agile and balanced as a basketball player. His first basketball game was at the age of 15 when he entered a local tournament. From that moment, basketball was the game of his heart.
When he came of age, Hakeem Olajuwon emigrated from Nigeria to play basketball for the University of Houston. While in college, his university teams competed in three NCAA Tournaments, but never won the championship game. However, in 1983 even though his team lost the championship, he won the NCAA Tournament Player of the Year award. Hakeem Olajuwon became the top NBA prospect in the summer of 1984 and was the number one draft pick of the Houston Rockets. He was chosen over competitors Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.
With the Houston Rockets, Hakeem Olajuwon was part of two championship teams (1994 and 1995). After the 1993 basketball season, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States which made him eligible to join the Olympic Team in 1996. That team won the Olympic Gold Medal in Basketball. In 2001, Hakeem Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors. This was his final season as a basketball player. He is regarded as one of the five greatest centers to ever play the game.
Hakeem Olajuwon married his current wife Dalia Asafi in 1996. The two live with their family primarily in Jordan, where he practices the Muslim faith. His family also keeps a home in Houston, Texas where Hakeem Olajuwon is a renowned real estate mogul.
In 2006, he opened his first "Big Man" camp, which teaches young basketball players good techniques for being a force on the court. He runs the camp for free. In 2007 he will become eligible for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, many believe he will be inducted that year.