Hakeem Olajuwon biography, married, wife, dalia asafi, stats, injury, salary, contract, fangraphs, highlights, net worth

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Born on 21st January 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria, Hakeem, formerly Akeem Olajuwon was a Professional NBA <a href="/biography/hakeem-olajuwon">player</a> for Houston Rockets. He is well known as the best centre to play in NBA so far. He was the undisputed <a href="/biography/hakeem-olajuwon">leader</a> for Houston Rockets. After retirement, he was inducted to FIBA Hall Of Fame and Basketball Hall Of Fame. During his playing career, he was also knowns as 'The Dream or Little Moses'

Personal Life

Hakeem was third <a href="/biography/hakeem-olajuwon">child</a> of Salim and Abike Olajuwon and belongs to a Muslim family. He went to college at Muslim Teachers college at Nigeria, where he played soccer and handball. He moved to America to play basketball at the University of Houston. Hakeem was a <a href="/biography/hakeem-olajuwon">physics education major</a> from University of Houston. He also speaks fluent French. On August 8th 1996, he got married to, wife, Dalia Asafi. They were blessed with two daughters Rahmah and Aisha.

He also had an affair with a girl; whom he met in college and has a daughter with her as well, named Abisola. Along with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Knobler">Peter Knobler</a>, he wrote his autobiography in 1996 “Living the Dream”. He was known as “The dream” during his career in NBA, as he used to move so effortlessly that “it looked like a dream”. He has net worth of over $ 200 Million. When he played in the NBA, he was paid more than $ 107,000,000 Million in salary.

Career

Hakeem Olajuwon began his athletic as a soccer goalkeeper and handball player, which ultimately helped give him the footwork and agility to balance his overpowering strength and size in basketball, he quickly became a dominating player at the University of Houston. He played three seasons at Houston and helped push the Cougars into the Final Four each year.

During his 18-year basketball career Hakeem Olajuwon became known as one of the greatest players in NBA history. He was considered a physical marvel starting in his days at the University of Houston, his aesthetic and productive play -- highlighted by his Houston Rockets' back-to-back NBA titles -- earned him a place among the game's best.

Hakeem began his professional career with Houston Rockets and stayed with them for 17 years out of 18. He was the first in the draft for Huston Rocket to be picked together with <a href="/biography/john-stockton">John Stockton</a>, <a href="/biography/charles-barkley">Charles Barkley</a> and <a href="/biography/michael-jordan">Michael Jordan</a>. He was <a href="/biography/hakeem-olajuwon">one</a> of the best centre players in the history of NBA. He was famous for playing defense as well as offence. He teamed up with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Sampson">Ralph Sampson</a> and were called Twin tower as both near to 7 feet tall, led to Rockets in NBA finals 1986.

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He was the first <a href="/biography/hakeem-olajuwon">player</a> to win MVP, final MVP and Defensive player of the year award in same season in 1994-95. In his biography, its written that during 1994 and 1995, he helped team to win NBA championship twice, back to back. In 1996, he was part of Olympic gold medal winning team at Atlanta. In 1988-89, Hakeem made a record of 200 blocks and 200 steals in same season. He was with Houston Rockets from 1984-2001. In 2001, Hakeem joined Toronto Raptors.

In 2002, Olajuwon decided to retire, due to his back injury. In his career, he scored 26946 Points, 13747 Rebounds and 3830 Blocks. He was the most iconic player in Houston Rockets. He won many awards over the period. After retirement, he then started a real estate business and instructs NBA players as well.

Even though he finished his career in Toranto Houston recognized his huge impact on the city and wanted to honor him. His No. 34 jersey was retired on Nov. 9, 2002. At the ceremony, it was announced that a life-sized statue of Olajuwon would be on display at the Rockets' new downtown arena, scheduled to open for the 2003-04 season. However, due to Olajuwon's strict Muslim beliefs, the Rockets instead unvieled a bronze monument honoring Olajuwon outside the arena in 2006.

Following his playing days, Olajuwon spent many NBA offseasons teaching some of the league's young stars -- from <a href="/biography/kobe-bryant">Kobe Bryant</a> to <a href="/biography/dwight-howard">Dwight Howard</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amar'e_Stoudemire">Amar'e Stoudemire</a> -- ways to improve their footwork in the post.

He was named as one of the Greatest player of NBA history as part of Campaign on 50 years anniversary. He made few endorsement deals as well and became the face of Spalding’s Sport shoes. This made him one of only a few players in any professional sport to endorse a sneaker not from Nike, Reebok, Adidas, or other high end brands. As Olajuwon declared: "How can a poor working mother with three boys buy Nikes or Reeboks that cost $120?...She can't. So kids steal these shoes from stores and from other kids. Sometimes they kill for them."

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