During his childhood, Olajuwon played as a soccer goalkeeper. You've gotta be natural.". Recently, Abdullah Olajuwon came to America and started playing high school ball in Houston, Texas. Olajuwon also has a . Besides this, there is no information concerning her early life and family background. You never know. Van Price always knew Abdullah Olajuwons raw skill set was special he just needed an extra ingredient to take his game to the next level. Once logged in, you can add biography in the database, athlete They were married Thursday in Houston. 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. Houston Texans The two tied the knot of husband and wife in August 1996. With basketball becoming a viable option, Abdul admitted that once he played it, things changed. He and Shaquille ONeal are known to be the NBAs best centers of all time. Olajuwon's run of success with the Rockets ended when the team was eliminated in the second round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. In the summer of 1984, Olajuwon was considered the top college prospect over teammates and future NBA players Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton, and was picked for the first time in the 1984 NBA draft by the Rockets. Olajuwon, a 33-year-old Nigerian who is now a U.S. citizen, worshiped for years at the same Houston mosque as the bride's father. He led Houston to victory over a potent Louisville team in the national semifinals, but the heavily favored Cougars lost to North Carolina State in the title game. After moving to the United States in 2019, he played at Houstons Village School his sophomore season before coming to Sugar Land and Clements two seasons ago. His undefendable fade-away jump shot, combined with his powerful dunks and tenacious defense under the basket proved a nearly unstoppable combination. Their marriage produced four children; two daughters - Rahmah and Aisha and two sons - Abdullah and Abdul. Kid of HOF beast @thedr34m. However, there is no information about Asafis career. ""I remember at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Shaq always wanted me to show him steps over and over. To know all the details, keep reading the article until the end. In 1983 Olajuwon blossomed as a player, leading Houston on a twenty-two-game winning streak while averaging over twenty points and twenty rebounds per game. 50 NJ-120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, United States. Hakeem is a strict observer of Ramadan (he abstains from food and drink during daylight hours for about a month). Likewise, he guided Houston Rockets to NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995. () (). Following his retirement from the NBA, Olajuwon found significant success in the Houston real estate market. Here are some notable quick facts that you should know about the retired Nigerian -American basketball legend. I saw the passion, they started playing some games.". "They're both very happy.". Hakeem specializes in buying properties that are ripe for development via public improvements like stadiums or train stops. From his very childhood, he was taught the benefits of hard work and discipline, which helped him throughout his career. The a 6-foot-3 slasher, whom Price described as a jack of all trades that can do most anything asked of him on the court, has a wealth of basketball knowledge at his disposal. 100 Paul Buck Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217, United States. Learn how your comment data is processed. By the end of the 1991-92 season, Olajuwon was demanding that Houston management trade him. My dad always told me that basketball was where it is I had the size and I had the strength, and he just saw the potential, the younger Olajuwon said. During the 2000-01 season Olajuwon was diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg and benched while he took a series of blood thinners. 2 Final 4's. WNBA Draftee: Chicago Sky! The former Houston Rockets star has lived in Jordan for the past several years, splitting his time between there and Houston. The wife of Hakeem Olajuwon, Dalia Asafi's was born in 1968 in Nigeria. Moreover, he has played for the national team of both Nigeria and the United States. Hakeem is shy and respectful. Full Roster ( 33) Team Info 2022-23 Season Big Men Who Shook the NBA includes compelling and surprisingly frank profiles of the 25 best NBA centers ever. For her. So when did the couple marry? However, there is no information about her exact date and place of birth. SAN ANTONIO -- Hakeem Olajuwon has a new favorite memory of the Alamodome: Watching his daughter play in the Final Four. And he always tells me Im my own person, so that helps a lot.. According to a 2006 New York Times profile, Hakeem up to that point had transacted over $100 million worth of real estate purchases. Posting a season average of 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game, Olajuwon was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). New to college, Olajuwon wasnt 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. In the 1984 NBA draft, Olajuwon was selected first overall by the Houston Rockets. She was 18 when they got married. Olajuwon did not play basketball until late 1978 when, at the age of fifteen, he joined the school's basketball team coached by Ganiyu Otenigbade, who taught him to play the center position.Richard Mills, a United States coach who was head of the Nigerian National Sports Coaching Institute, spotted Olajuwon playing in a pick-up game in Lagos and invited him to play with the Nigerian National Team. Center Hakeem Olajuwon of the Toronto Raptors shoots over forward Andrew DeClercq of the Orlando Magic during the NBA game at TD Waterhouse Centre (later Amway Arena) in Orlando, Florida, on March 10, 2002. Quotations: "Hes more relaxed on the floor this year. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808946&cache=false" Currently, she is an assistant coach for Connecticut Sun in the WNBA . (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! Originally, when they moved to the UK, Abdullah admitted they had a passion for soccer. ""When you get to that level, it's not a matter of talent anymore - because all the players are so talented - it's about preparation, about playing smart and making good decisions. Further, the couple tied a knot on August 8, 1996, in Houston. A gifted athlete, Hakeem was a soccer goalkeeper from an early age before learning to play team handball as a junior at Muslim Teachers College, a high school in Lagos. var p = 'https:' == document.location.protocol ? Terms of Use. Olajuwon, whose father is former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon, said his confidence has been a key reason for the growth of his game. He went on to attend the University of Houston. "But when my dad told me to forget about soccer, I really didn't believe it. Olajuwon spent the summer after his freshman year playing basketball at Houston's Fonde Recreation Center, where he gained toughness in frequent match-ups against the bruising Moses Malone, who was then playing for the Houston Rockets.In his first year of college basketball, Olajuwon played a minimal role in the Houston Cougars run to the 1982 Final Four, where they lost to the University of North Carolina. His height is 2.13 m tall, and his weight is 116kg. Olajuwon is a very devout Muslim who observes Ramadan. He is also one of the only four players in NBA history to have scored a quadruple-double. Privacy Policy ""Being from Africa is the best thing that could have ever, ever happened to me. Center Hakeem Olajuwon of the Toronto Raptors shoots a jump shot during the NBA game against the Indiana Pacers at Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) in Toronto, Canada. I saw all these blessings God had given me. At the age of 17, he began playing basketball. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808961&cache=false" Bill Simmons, the wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining basketball addict known to millions as ESPN's The Sports Guy, has written the definitive book on the past, present, and future of the NBA. The 1994 NBA regular season Most Valuable Player recorded 26,946 points and 13,748 rebounds during his career.In 2008, Hakeem was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808942&cache=false" Read More . src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808958&cache=false" By the end of the 1991-92 season, Olajuwon was demanding that Houston management trade him. During his career, Hakeem has played for. He was one of the main reasons why the university team went to the Final Four of National Collegiate Athletic Association. "[Abdullah] is 15, if he doesn't come now, he won't really get a chance to catch up," Hakeem said. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Well, if youre ready, lets start. Olajuwon is a practicing Muslim, and has talked about studying the Qur'an every day. He owns the city's former World Trade Center building not far from Minute Made Park. Besides, Daila is the second wife of Hakeem. In that New York Times profile, Hakeem explained: "I have been blessed thus far to be able to work with my own capital, which gives me the ability to decide when I want to sell as opposed to having a bank loan hanging over my head that in some cases, can force you to sell even though you may not be ready to.". As a Muslim, Hakeem does not borrow money for his acquisitions (it's against Islamic law to pay or charge interest). He was ultimately unable to replicate his past triumphs, averaging career lows of 7.1 points and six rebounds per game. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In 2022, Hakeem Olajuwon will turn 60 years old. Many people are curious about Dalia and her spouse Hakeems relationship. All of my fundamental principles that were instilled in me in my home, from my childhood, are still with me. At the end of the season Olajuwon's contract expired, and Houston management decided to free themselves of Olajuwon's hefty salary and traded their premiere center to the Toronto Raptors. Selected to twelve NBA All Star games, Olajuwon holds the NBA record for blocked shots (3,830) and is the only player to record more than 3,000 blocked shots and 2,000 steals in a career. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Vancouver Grizzlies on November 9, 2000 at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. Olajuwon stated he believed the Houston Rockets will win the coin flip and thus he entered the draft cause he wanted to play for the Rockets. Olajuwon said he's usually back in the United States for the summer, when the Sooners aren't playing. Wire index, Bulls, Catchings win Sports Humanitarian awards, UNC hires ex-player, coach Crawley as assistant, Docs: Johnson seeks spousal support from Griner, Team USA tops Canada for women's hoops gold, Summitt saluted by Vols family at charity event. ""I've now been in this country for thirteen years, since I was seventeen. Ultimately, he ended his professional playing career as the all-time league leader in total blocked shots, with 3,830. Hakeem Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $300 million. Olajuwon averaged 27.8 points and 10.8 rebounds during the season, and in the game that clinched the series, recorded 39 points and 17 rebounds. As of January 2023, Hakeem Olajuwon has a net worth of $230 Million. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. Dalia Asafi is a married woman as of 2021. During the 1985-86 season Olajuwon averaged 23.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game and led his team to face the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals, but lost the series four games to two. So I was just playing soccer for so long. In fact, the member of the historic Phi Slamma Jama-era at the University of Houston made a deal with his sons Abdullah and Abdul. However, there is no information about her exact date and place of birth. ""My background playing soccer gave me a natural advantage over many of the American-born players. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808938&cache=false" He spent almost over 20+ years in basketball and played with a reputed and well-known basketball team. 142k Followers, 1 Following, 30 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Hakeem Olajuwon (@thedr34m) But the younger Olajuwon has actually only been working at the sport for about five years, and did not grow up playing it. This name was given to him because he used to dunk so effortlessly that his coach from the college said it just looked like a dream to him. Additionally, Hakeem was drafted by the Houston Rockets as the first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft. His name still exists in the history of the NBA as one of the 50 greatest players. By the 1993-94 season Olajuwon was at the peak of his career. . . Dalia Asafi married Hakeem when she was just 18 years old even though he was already 33. During the 1985-86 season Olajuwon averaged 23.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game and led his team to face the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals, but lost the series four games to two.The next several years of Olajuwon's career proved frustrating. Further, the wedding was conducted traditionally in the presence of his friends and family. 400 W Church St #200, Orlando, FL 32801, United States. At the time of his retirement, Olajuwon ranked 7th in career points scored in the NBA (26,946) and 11th in career rebounds (13,748); he was also the league's all-time leader in blocked shots (3,830).After retirement, in the 2006 NBA offseason, Olajuwon opened his first Big Man Camp, where he teaches young frontcourt players the finer points of playing in the post. . During the height of his career, Olajuwon was selected as a member of the 1996 US Olympic basketball team, dubbed Dream Team II. In his second year, Olajuwons performance improved greatly as he led the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics. Abdullah is Hakeem's eldest son. He led the Rockets to the 1994 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, winning the title in seven games to bring Houston its first professional sports championship in over 30 years. Foregoing his final year of college eligibility, Olajuwon was selected as the number one overall pick of the 1984 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is the third of eight children born on January 21, 1963, to Salim Olajuwon and Abike Olajuwon. At the end of the season Olajuwon's contract expired, and Houston management decided to free themselves of Olajuwon's hefty salary and traded their premiere center to the Toronto Raptors. I really feel like Ive grown as a player these last couple of years, just because Ive had a lot of coaches teaching me different things and little things that matter a lot of things I didnt know that could actually affect the game, he said. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="". Additionally, Hakeem tied a knot with his wife when he was just 18 years old. Their two daughters are Aisha Olajuwon and Rahmah Olajuwon. Olajuwon, once again named the NBA Finals MVP, ended the season with his second championship title. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808957&cache=false" Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. })(document); Your email address will not be published. Memorabilia in Baybrook Mall hosts a Hall of Fame afternoon with Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon ( taking pictures with fans and signing autographs. All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. He also became the first player not born in the US to win the MVP. After redshirting his freshman year, he became the Cougars' sixth man. The Nigerians lost in the semifinals to the Central African Republic, but Olajuwon impressed the opposing team's United States-born coach, Chris Pond, with his size and quickness. Hakeem Olajuwon. There was a problem saving your notification. T: (201) 635-8000 . On the other hand, her husband, Hakeems net worth is around $300 million as of 2021. Price also said Olajuwon has always had raw skill, and been coachable from the moment he got to Clements. We're always working . During his NBA career, Hakeem earned $110 million in salary. But a year later, in 2002, he retired from professional basketball career. Posts Reels Videos Tagged In addition to English, Olajuwon has fluency in Arabic and French, as well as the Nigerian languages of Ekiti and Yoruba. She was just 18 years old at the time of her wedding. Hakeem Olajuwon Retweeted. Additionally, Hakeem was drafted by the Houston Rockets as a first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft. He also led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995 and was named Finals MVP both years. 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