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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Hakeem Olajuwon

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Hakeem Olajuwon

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Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game, and has gone down in NBA history for his incredible skill. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played center for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors, leading the former to back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995. Beyond the seven-foot-frame, here are 10 things you didn’t know about Hakeem Olajuwon.

Sources: CBSSports.com, Basketball-Reference.com, ESPN.go.com, NBA.com, Wikipedia.org

Sites.PSU.edu
Sites.PSU.edu

He didn’t play basketball until age 15

It wasn’t until Hakeem Olajuwon was a student at the Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria, that he first began to play basketball. The game came easily to him, especially in light of his superior coordination from his earlier handball and soccer days.

IBTimes.com
IBTimes.com

“Olajuwon” translates to “always being on top” in Yoruba

The third of six children, Olajuwon was raised by his parents, Salim and Abike Olajuwon, in Lagos, Nigeria. The name Olajuwon translates to “always being on top” in Yoruba. Could his name have helped put Hakeem in the right mindset for a competitive career in basketball?

ForbesNetWorth.com
ForbesNetWorth.com

At First he was not highly recruited to play at the university level in the U.S.

Hakeem Olajuwon emigrated from Nigeria to play basketball at the University of Houston, but was not originally a highly sought-after recruit. In fact, he was initially offered just a visit to the university to work out with the coaching staff based on a recommendation from a friend of the coach who’d had seen him play. He demonstrated his impressive skill, and the rest is history.

PhotoBucket.com
PhotoBucket.com

He was dubbed a member of the “Phi Slama Jama” fraternity for his dunking prowess

Along with Clyde Drexler, his towering teammate at university, Hakeem Olajuwon dominated the above-the-rim game. The pair helped lead the Cougars to the final four two years in a row during Olajuwon’s sophomore and junior years. Hakeem was affectionately named an honorary Phi Slamma Jama fraternity brother.

Fuse.com.ng
Fuse.com.ng

Olajuwon is the last player from the losing side to win the NCAA Tournament Player of the Year Award

In 1983, Olajuwon was awarded the NCAA Tournament Player of the Year award after losing to North Carolina State on a last second tip-in in the championship game.

Blueisme.com
Blueisme.com

Olajuwon was drafted over many of the greatest players in the NBA

He was drafted in 1984 with the first overall selection to the Houston Rockets, and was picked over the likes of Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and John Stockton.

Sports.ESPN.go.com
Sports.ESPN.go.com

After his retirement, Olajuwon became a very successful real-estate dealer in Houston, Texas

Olajuwon owns several major buildings in downtown Houston and the surrounding area, and is very involved in his business. He decided to pursue real estate due to his love of architecture.

MichiganDaily.com
MichiganDaily.com

Olajuwon continues to work as a personal instructor for aspiring NBA players

Olajuwon’s Big Man Camp in Houston helps centers improve their moves around the basket and is grooming the next generation of all-star players. Even current NBA players have worked with Olajuwon since his retirement. One of the all-time greats has a lot to teach.

MuslimsinMedia.com
MuslimsinMedia.com

Olajuwon is a devout Muslim

Though he was raised a Muslim, Olajuwon became more devout later in life and devotes much of his free time to studying the Koran. His faith inspired him to change his name from Akeem to Hakeem.

NBALoud.com
NBALoud.com

He is the only player in NBA history to win three top awards all in the same year

For his performance in the 1993-1994 NBA season, Olajuwon was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), the Defensive Player of the Year, and the Finals MVP.