The team next went to the NBA Finals, ultimately losing in six games to the Boston Celtics. "[Abdullah] is 15, if he doesn't come now, he won't really get a chance to catch up," Hakeem said. 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. The driver figured that Olajuwon meant the University of Houston, and when Olajuwon arrived on campus, the coaching staff immediately knew that they had struck gold. Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is the third of eight children born on January 21, 1963, to Salim Olajuwon and Abike Olajuwon. Dalia married a famous professional basketball player, Hakeem Olajuwon. He was one of the main reasons why the university team went to the Final Four of National Collegiate Athletic Association. Moreover, Hakeem also played with the Toronto Raptors for a year before retiring due to back injuries. (The star of the Houston Rockets chronicles the cross-cult). 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. The two tied the knot of husband and wife in August 1996. So, I put them in a basketball club and a soccer club. Center Hakeem Olajuwon of the Toronto Raptors faces up center Patrick Ewing of the Orlando Magic during the NBA game on March 10, 2002 at the TD Waterhouse (later Amway Arena) in Orlando, Florida. There is a Hakeem Olajuwon Foundation in existence today located in the USA. Price also said Olajuwon has always had raw skill, and been coachable from the moment he got to Clements. His parents owned a cement business. Like other celebrities, Dalia Asafi rose to fame because of her spouse, including Samantha Rotundaand Sheletta Capital. His name still exists in the history of the NBA as one of the 50 greatest players. The duo most famously was the reason that Houston Rockets were a part of the NBA Finals in 1986. It includes entries on racial and ethnic groups, ethnic sports, mainstream sports, ethnic and racial institutions and famous sports figures. To know all the details, keep reading the article until the end. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808959&cache=false" He has another child, with Lita Spencer, who played basketball in the WNBA. 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. Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth. After turning down a $13 million deal with the Rockets, Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2001. Kid of HOF beast @thedr34m. The following season the Rockets, who were plagued by injuries throughout the regular season, surprised many by returning to the NBA finals, this time facing center Shaquille O'Neal and the Orlando Magic. Hakeem Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $300 million. ""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. Being born on 21 January 1963, Hakeem Olajuwon is 60 years old as of todays date 1st March 2023. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets circa 2000 at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. Formerly named Akeem Olajuwon, Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is a world-famous basketball player of Nigerian-American descent. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808943&cache=false" This is why you don't see just one author for this article. })(document); Your email address will not be published. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808957&cache=false" Oklahoma Grad. In his first year in the University, the NCAA didnt give him clearance to play and thus he was redshirted. ""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=2808939&cache=false" ", This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. He owns the city's former World Trade Center building not far from Minute Made Park. aisha olajuwon agethe hardy family acrobats 26th February 2023 / in was forest whitaker in batteries not included / by / in was forest whitaker in batteries not included / by HOOP 'DREAM': The Houston Rockets legend said he's putting his two sons in position to follow him. Hakeem Olajuwon studied physical education at the University of Houston. Encyclopedia of Ethnicity and Sports in the United States, The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to The Sports Guy. . ""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. In both his sophomore and junior years, Olajuwon helped lead the Cougars to consecutive NCAA championship games. Chucky Atkins of the Detroit Pistons stretches for a shot against Dell Curry and Hakeem Olajuwon of the Toronto Raptors during game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals series during the 2002 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) in Toronto, Canada. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets lays up a shot during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 3, 2000 at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. She was just 18 years old at the time of her wedding. Not by a long-shot. var qs = Object.keys(params).reduce(function(a, k){ a.push(k + '=' + encodeURIComponent(params[k])); return a},[]).join(String.fromCharCode(38)); She is a Nigerian citizen, whereas her ethnicity is Hausa-Fulani. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808961&cache=false" (Coach Price) is pushing me to my limit, making me do things I didnt think I could do myself, Olajuwon said. His undefendable fade-away jump shot, combined with his powerful dunks and tenacious defense under the basket proved a nearly unstoppable combination. "She said she's not going to wear the number unless she's going to play," Hakeem Olajuwon said. For NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon though, it was always a sport he wanted to see his sons pursue. He was associated with Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors from 1984 to 2002 and played in the position center. The six-foot, eleven-inch Nigerian was offered a full scholarship.At the suggestion of head coach Guy Lewis, Olajuwon, who weighed barely 190 pounds in 1980, "red-shirted," or sat out, his first year to mature physically and learn the fundamentals of basketball. He is also one of the only four players in NBA history to have scored a quadruple-double. Hakeem had a relationship with Lita Spencer, with whom he has an older daughter, Abisola. He spent almost over 20+ years in basketball and played with a reputed and well-known basketball team. He was born in 2004 in the country of Jordan, where he spent the first 10 years of his life. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (function(d) { Learn how your comment data is processed. cb: (new Date()).getTime() 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. With his 26.9 point average per game, Olajuwon was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player; this made him the first foreign-born player to receive that award. Pronunciation: \ah-KEEM ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn\. Additionally, he has collected $97,356,426 as his entire career earnings, playing 14 seasons in NBA. Following a bad 1991-92 season, Olajuwon improved his passing and set a new career-best of 3.5 assists per game in 1992-93. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Toronto Raptors looks to shoot against Joel Przybilla of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of the NBA game at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. Playing as a goalkeeper helped Olajuwon learn how to balance his weight as well as strength. For example, he buys large undeveloped plots of land near transportation lines and popular highway exits. "Hes seen that he can get some things done on the court, so his confidence has really grown. Additionally, Hakeem was drafted by the Houston Rockets as a first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft. Once logged in, you can add biography in the database, athlete Dalia Asafi married Hakeem when she was just 18 years old even though he was already 33. Once again, he was named the Finals MVP, and became the only Rockets All-Star. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808936&cache=false" With basketball becoming a viable option, Abdul admitted that once he played it, things changed. All of my fundamental principles that were instilled in me in my home, from my childhood, are still with me. So when did the couple marry? Olajuwon is the daughter of former NBA center Hakeem Olajuwon. So hes getting some things done.. 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. He enjoyed playing soccer, often playing as a goalkeeper. For the first time in Oklahoma center Abi Olajuwon's four years with the Sooners, Hakeem Olajuwon watched his daughter play from the stands Sunday in Oklahoma's 73-66 loss to Stanford in the national semifinals. His journey from Nigeria to America was based on a recommendation for his talents in basketball. Dalia Asafi beoncloudz Wiki Bio, husband, What is Grace Fulton doing now? 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. "They're both very happy.". As per Hakeem's last contract, he earned $6,326,923 as an annual average salary. The star of the Houston Rockets chronicles the cross-cultural journey from his Nigerian childhood to the heights of fame with the NBA, discussing his life on and off the court, rivalry with other players, confrontations with owners and referees, and religious faith. Dalia and Hakeem have been happily married couple for the past about 23 years. 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. Olajuwon was instructed to follow the coachs explanation and dunk but he stood on the chair. Additionally, he works with other NBA players to help them perfect their moves. """ ()". Olajuwon prides his parents as devoted people who made sure they instilled core values such as respect, hard work and honesty in their children. 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. Their kids are Rahman Olajuwon and Aisha Olajuwon. Clements' Abdullah Olajuwon sizes up a defender during a Jan. 22 game against Bush. Moreover, in 1994, he became the only NBA player ever to win the MVP, the Championship title, the Finals MVP, and the Defensive Player of the Year award in a single season. Olajuwon also has a . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After the 1984 season, Olajuwon opted to turn professional. var s = d.createElement('script'); s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true; 2023 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808937&cache=false" But a year later, in 2002, he retired from professional basketball career. Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi on August 8, 1996. During the 1998-99 season, Olajuwon's scoring production improved, helping him make his 12th and final All-NBA Team. On the other hand, her husband, Hakeems net worth is around $300 million as of 2021. The Rockets won the flip and was selected as the top pick in the 1984 draft, ahead of stars like Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley. }; Olajuwon can speak French, Arabic as well as his native language, Yoruba. "I tried out for a soccer team, and I made it. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below. . Olajuwon made it clear at the time that although Dalia was still a young adult at the time, she had knowledge, experience, and wisdom well . Recently, Abdullah Olajuwon came to America and started playing high school ball in Houston, Texas. His performance in his first season earned him a second place in the Rookie of the Year voting. Are you a follower, or are you a leader? Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American basketball player who played basketball in the NBA between 1984 and 2002. Hakeem Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $300 million. Hakeem is shy and respectful. Also that season, the Rockets posted a new franchise record with 55 wins. But he also has different skill sets than his father did, and has molded himself into a unique player on the court, according to his coach. I love this team.. 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. Hakeem Olajuwon was born on 21 January 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria into a middle-class Yaruba family, and is a popular former basketball player. Similar to her father, Abi is also into the basketball world. 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. He appears to have found it this season, and has been one of the key factors for the Rangers amassing a 21-7 overall record so far this season along with a 5-3 mark in District 20-6A as they seek the programs first playoff berth since 2014-2015. Hakeem Olajuwon is a Nigerian-born American former professional basketball player who led the Houston Rockets to consecutive National Basketball Association (NBA) championships in 1994 and 1995. Later, while attending the Muslim Teachers College, he began playing basketball when he entered a local tournament. Olajuwon, paired with Ralph Sampson in the front court, had a stellar rookie year, averaging 20.6 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, and finished second to Jordan in the Rookie of Year voting. In 1996, Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi. 142k Followers, 1 Following, 30 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Hakeem Olajuwon (@thedr34m) He was given the opportunity to join the US national team at the Olympics in 1996, and he grabbed the opportunity to be part of a gold medal-winning team. The following season the Rockets, who were plagued by injuries throughout the regular season, surprised many by returning to the NBA finals, this time facing center Shaquille O'Neal and the Orlando Magic. There he played only one season before retiring in 2002. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball over Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons, during game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2002 NBA Playoffs at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on May 2, 2002. Olajuwon's run of success with the Rockets ended when the team was eliminated in the second round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. Olajuwon said Price and his Clements teammates have been a big reason for the development of his confidence, and in turn, his game. Olajuwon also has daughter, Abisola Olajuwon, who was drafted by the Chicago Sky of the WNBA in 2010 and played for the Tulsa Shock in 2011. Your email address will not be published. This has allowed him to minimize risk and exposure when the real estate market softens. Her spouse Hakeem Olajuwon is a Nigerian-born professional basketball player. And growing up, soccer was his first love despite his dad being one of the most well-known basketball players of all time. '', data-src= '' /web/show-photo.jpg? id=2808957 & cache=false '' Oklahoma Grad 2000-01 season Olajuwon was diagnosed with a clot... Hakeem 's last contract, he works with other NBA players to help them perfect their moves and! Other celebrities, dalia Asafi rose to fame because of her spouse Hakeem Olajuwon.! Date 1st March 2023 just 18 years old as of 2021 the other hand, her husband, net. 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