Hakeem Olajuwon

Guide note:

Hakeem Olajuwon is a retired NBA player who played 18 seasons primarily for the Houston Rockets between the years of 1984-2001, ending his career in Toronto in 2002.

Fast Facts:

1. Full name: Akeem Abdul Olajuwon
2. Born: January 21, 1963
3. Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
4. Nickname is "Hakeem the Dream"
5. Position: Center
6. College team nickname was "Phi Slama Jama"
7. He and teammate Ralph Sampson were known as the "Twin Towers"
8. Was a 12 time NBA all star
9. Member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
10. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008

Olajuwon played his first basketball game at age 15 in his native Nigeria. After graduating high school, Olajuwon came to the United States and attended the University of Houston. While in college, he worked with his basketball mentor, Moses Malone, then leading the Houston Cougars to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, however, they lost in both contests 1983 and 1984. Following the 1983 tournament, he was named the NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Olajuwon left the University of Houston after his junior year to enter the NBA draft. He was selected first overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, ahead of future NBA Stars Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.

During his rookie year in the NBA, Olajuwon played in all 82 regular season games, and was selected for his first of 12 NBA All-Star Games. Olajuwon helped the Rockets win the NBA Championship in both the 1994 and 1995 seasons, and was named the finals MVP both years. In 1996, he was part of the Olympic U.S. Men's Basketball Team, winning a Gold Medal in the Summer Games.

Olajuwon continued with the Rockets through the 1998-1999 season, then joined the Toronto Raptors for his final season in 2001-2002.

Following his retirement from the NBA, Olajuwon opened the Big Man Basketball Camp to help young players. On April 7, 2008 he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

• "Basketball is something that is so unique. That immediately I pick up the game and you know realize that this is the sport for me. All the other sports just become secondary."