Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, formerly known as Akeem Olajuwon, is a Nigerian-American retired professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Associationfor the Houston Rockets, and the Toronto Raptors. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2008, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. Listed at 7 ft 0 inby his own admission), Olajuwon is...
NationalityNigerian
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth21 January 1963
CityLagos, Nigeria
CountryNigeria
I'm shy, but sometimes my voice is so clear and strong. Your tongue moves, and the Arabic language is so beautiful.
I'm the kind of person who always wants more. I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success. I saw all these blessings God had given me. The way to give thanks is obedience to God.
When I watch NBA games now on TV, what I see the most are opportunities for the big men that they are not taking advantage of. That's what I told Tim Duncan when I saw him this year at the Finals in San Antonio. When you go into the lane and they take away the jump hook, just reverse pivot. The baseline is there.
I don't think Michael had to retire for us to get the spotlight, because when you win, it commands attention.
My life is very simple. I like simplicity and for my time to be my own, so that I have the freedom to devote the majority of it to Islam.
When I look at the system here and look at my position - not just as a basketball player, but when I look around me at the values of the people and the culture and compare them with the values of where I came from - I feel so blessed to be from Africa.
I remember at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Shaq always wanted me to show him steps over and over.
I've now been in this country for thirteen years, since I was seventeen. So this is my second home.
I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success. I saw all these blessings God had given me. The way to give thanks is obedience to God.
The key to fashion is, you don't want to look like you're trying. You've gotta be natural.
The most important thing in a person's life is his faith and how he translates his faith into practical deeds.
I'm the kind of person who always wants more.
My type of basketball is about how to create space, how to maneuver, how to get your shot off.
I love fashion as much as I love basketball! It is a great joy for me to express myself through designing my own collection.