34 -- just like her dad wore with the Rockets. Although his personal statistics remained impressive, Olajuwon struggled with injuries and an overall weak team that failed to produce playoff wins. 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 during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 22, 2000 at Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. 2 daughters (Rahmah Olajuwon and Aisha Olajuwon) A housewife, Dalia Asafi , came to limelight after marrying a Nigerian-American former NBA-player from Lagos, Nigeria, Hakeem Olajuwon . Olajuwon prides his parents as devoted people who made sure they . They were blessed with two daughters Rahmah and Aisha. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808961&cache=false" His journey from Nigeria to America was based on a recommendation for his talents in basketball. Additionally, he has collected $97,356,426 as his entire career earnings, playing 14 seasons in NBA. Born: January 21, 1963 in Lagos, Nigeria ng College: Houston High School: Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria 10. 2023 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved. HOUSTON Following the Islamic custom of prearranged marriages, Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon and 18-year-old Dalia Asafi were wed last week in a traditional ceremony. Houston Texans Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon (born January 21, 1963) is a retired Nigerian-American basketball player who played basketball in the NBA between 1984 and 2002. Besides this, there is no information concerning her early life and family background. Before his arrival in the US, Hakeem Olajuwon played for Nigeria at 1980 All African games. This prevented him from playing for the US team because he wasnt a citizen and FIBA regulations prevented a player from representing multiple National teams. During the 1998-99 season, Olajuwon's scoring production improved, helping him make his 12th and final All-NBA Team. d: "YWxsc3RhcmJpby5jb20=", document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In 1996, Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi. Also that season, the Rockets posted a new franchise record with 55 wins. "She said she's not going to wear the number unless she's going to play," Hakeem Olajuwon said. Likewise, he guided Houston Rockets to NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995. 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. Instead, Houston brought in a new coach, Rudy Tomjanovich, who worked to keep Olajuwon in a Rockets uniform. 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. Confidence keying Clements Olajuwons performance, Lady Chargers hoops setting foundation with state tournament trip, Can Taking a Break From Social Media Help You Recharge? src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808965&cache=false" Family Life He married Dalia Asafi in 1996 as per an arranged marriage. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808952&cache=false" Here are some notable quick facts that you should know about the retired Nigerian -American basketball legend. Their two daughters are Aisha Olajuwon and Rahmah Olajuwon. The 1993/94 season was the peak of Olajuwons career. Additionally, Hakeem was drafted by the Houston Rockets as a first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft. His height is 2.13 m tall, and his weight is 116kg. 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. 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. The couple has two children. He led the Cougars to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship game, but Houston lost again, this time to the Georgetown Hoyas, led by Patrick Ewing. ""Being from Africa is the best thing that could have ever, ever happened to me. This is the best team Ive played for. During his career, Hakeem has played for. Being the wife of such a wealthy personality, surely, Asafi is living a lavish life relishing the wealth amassed by her spouse. 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. Despite the fasting during the Ramadan period, Hakeem still produced some of his best performances during those periods. He owns parking garages, apartments complexes, commercial buildings and single-family homes. 142k Followers, 1 Following, 30 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Hakeem Olajuwon (@thedr34m) Additionally, he was a member of the gold medal-winning Olympic US team in 1996. ""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. "Then we made a deal, once they tasted basketball they'd forget about soccer. Then we moved to London, and thats the biggest sport. Due to a back injury, Olajuwon decided to retire in the fall of 2002 after only one season with the Raptors. Additionally, Hakeem was drafted by the Houston Rockets as a first overall selection of the 1984 NBA draft. daughters Aisha and Rahmah and sons Abdullah and Abdul. Dalia Asafi is a Nigerian Celebrity Wife. You never know. s.src = p + "://api.content-ad.net/Scripts/widget2.aspx?" His highest-earning year was the the 2000-2001 season when he made $16.7 million from the Houston Rockets. "I don't think Michael had to retire for us to get the spotlight, because when you win, it commands attention. Over there, everyone played soccer," he said of Jordan. Besides, Hakeem has fluency in many other languages apart from English. He was . Their kids are Rahman Olajuwon and Aisha Olajuwon. Olajuwon said he's usually back in the United States for the summer, when the Sooners aren't playing. 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. For example, he buys large undeveloped plots of land near transportation lines and popular highway exits. ""My background playing soccer gave me a natural advantage over many of the American-born players. So her actual income and net worth are currently under review. She's a great kid. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. () (). The couple has two daughters, Rahmah and Aisha and two sons, Abdullah and Abdul. Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, Akeem Olajuwon, The Dream. In 1984, with Clyde Drexler gone to the NBA's Portland Trailblazers, Olajuwon became the focal point of the Houston team, leading the nation in rebounding, averaging 13.5 per game, and field-goal accuracy with 67.5 percent, while earning Player of the Year honors. This article was created by a combination of a few writers and editors from Sporty Tell. After the 1984 season, Olajuwon opted to turn professional. Moreover, he has played for the national team of both Nigeria and the United States. 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He thus earned little playtime as a redshirt freshman. However, there is no information about Asafis career. 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). He remains the only player to do so in NBA history. In the 1984 NBA draft, Olajuwon was selected first overall by the Houston Rockets. Olajuwon is considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. Hakeem Olajuwon is a former Nigerian-American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1984 to 2002, representing the teams, Houston Rockets, and Toronto Raptors. I saw all these blessings God had given me. After turning down a $13 million deal with the Rockets, Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2001. Hes realizing that its just basketball and its not open heart surgery, Price said. In fact, the member of the historic Phi Slamma Jama-era at the University of Houston made a. By the end of the 1991-92 season, Olajuwon was demanding that Houston management trade him. "You feel goose bumps," Hakeem Olajuwon said. In his entire career, he has managed to become an NBA champion two times in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth. It was a month ago that the Olajuwons officially reclaimed Houston as their full-time home. Following the 1983/84 seasons, Olajuwon made the decision to enter the NBA Draft. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann). src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808938&cache=false" Abdullah is Hakeem's eldest son. Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal and Gary Payton celebrate Olympic gold. Hakeen Olajuwon career contract and earnings: Talking about his endorsement deals, he had a contract with LA Gear and also endorsed The Dream, a sneaker that had a retail price of $34.99. He and Shaquille ONeal are known to be the NBAs best centers of all time. src="" alt="" class="gallery-slider__content__img" height="", data-src="/web/show-photo.jpg?id=2808943&cache=false" Olajuwon also has a . 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. 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. ""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. Facing star center Ewing and the New York Knicks in the NBA finals, Olajuwon won his first NBA title, defeating the Knicks in seven games. But basketball was always lurking, he said, at his dads urging. The 1996 Summer Olympics gold medalist, Hakeem Olajuwon, was born on January 21, 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria. Reportedly, he is fluent in French, Arabic, and the Nigerian languages of Yoruba and Ekiti. 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. 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. 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. "Families meet, talk, get to know one another. He endorsed Spalding shoe, the Dream which sells as low as $35. This has allowed him to minimize risk and exposure when the real estate market softens. During the height of his career, Olajuwon was selected as a member of the 1996 US Olympic basketball team, dubbed Dream Team II. 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. He also had an affair with a girl; whom he met in college and has a daughter with her as well, named Abisola. Big Men Who Shook the NBA includes compelling and surprisingly frank profiles of the 25 best NBA centers ever. He purchased Houston's former Federal Reserve Bank building and converted it into a mosque. The question is: What do you stand for? Hakeem specializes in buying properties that are ripe for development via public improvements like stadiums or train stops. All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. Olajuwon prides his parents as devoted people who made sure they instilled core values such as respect, hard work and honesty in their children. He also won an Olympic gold medal in 1996. ""I've now been in this country for thirteen years, since I was seventeen. Recently, Abdullah Olajuwon came to America and started playing high school ball in Houston, Texas. The next several years of Olajuwon's career proved frustrating. Read More . PG, SG Onir Narahari #23Jr. Hakeem Olajuwon Retweeted. Wiki Bio, husband, What is Grace Fulton doing now? Hakeem Olajuwon has good memories of the Alamodome, where the Rockets beat the San Antonio Spurs three times in the 1995 Western Conference finals en route to their second championship. ""I'm shy, but sometimes my voice is so clear and strong. Olajuwon married Dalia Asafi on August 8, 1996. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets shoots against Raef LaFrentz of the Denver Nuggets during the game on January 20, 2000 at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. At the age of 17, he began playing basketball. Texas Born Cali Built! Currently, she is an assistant coach for Connecticut Sun in the WNBA . . Hakeem Olajuwon has his position in the Basketball Hall of Fame and FIBA Hall of Fame, both as players. 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. But you don't have to look at boundaries when you are looking at a man - at the character of a man. Once logged in, you can add biography in the database, athlete Obviously my dad has the experience so he tells me what to do, and Ive seen the results, he said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (function(d) { There he played only one season before retiring in 2002. In 2006, Olajuwon opened the first of his Big Man Camps, where he teaches young players how to play in front court. Hakeem Olajuwon was born on January 21, 1963 in Lagos, Nigeria. He was also a 12-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. . For now, the duo is living a happy married life with their beautiful children without any rumors of divorce and extramarital affairs. 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. 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. ", This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Although his personal statistics remained impressive, Olajuwon struggled with injuries and an overall weak team that failed to produce playoff wins. As per the reports, Hakeem earned more than $107 million in salary from his 18 years career in National Basketball Association (NBA). Selena Gomez Thinks So, Muceus, Diaz named Fort Bend ISD Principles of the Year, Review: Johnny Tamales lives up to the anticipation, Missouri City residents turn out for Freedom Walk, Area dignitaries make the rounds during Fort Bend County Day at the Capitol, Sugar Land middle-school student combines interests in science, journalism, March Happenings: Whats on the Calendar for the First Month of Spring, Woman charged with theft of COVID relief funds, Sugar Land Council gives go-ahead to Imperial district redevelopment proposal, Meadows Place resident builds flag retirement box for Eagle Scout project, Road closures at railroad crossing scheduled for Saturday, Sugar Land planning and zoning commission rejects Imperial redevelopment proposal, Foster High School student Mia Huckman named Grand Champion at Rodeo Houston. SAN ANTONIO -- Hakeem Olajuwon has a new favorite memory of the Alamodome: Watching his daughter play in the Final Four. Hakeem Olajuwon was born on January 21st, 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria. Once again, he was named the Finals MVP, and became the only Rockets All-Star. Nigerian-American basketball player (born 1963) Hakeem Olajuwon Olajuwon in 2015 Personal information Born (1963-01-21) January 21, 1963(age 60) Lagos, Nigeria Nationality Nigerian / American Listed height 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) Listed weight 255 lb (116 kg) Career information High school Muslim Teachers College (Lagos, Nigeria) College So hes getting some things done.. 211. Similar to her father, Abi is also into the basketball world. 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. 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. What the foundation does is to help children in the Southwestern part of America get funds for whatever it is that needs financing for them to have better lives. He kept his wonderful lone performance in the following five years from 1989 to 1993. Everybody wanted to play it, and so thats what I did.. Price also said Olajuwon has always had raw skill, and been coachable from the moment he got to Clements. 'https' : 'http'; Tradues em contexto de "mahmah" en italiano-portugus da Reverso Context : Ciao mahmah, cosa c' per cena? 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. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets moves the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 25, 2000 at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. He has another daughter with his previous wife, Lita Spencer, named Abisola Olajuwon. 3601 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148, United States. He had the same skill set last year, he just didnt have the confidence to go with it.. For the 1988-89 season, Olajuwon was the undisputed leader of the Rockets, finishing as the league leader in rebounds with 13.5 per game. var p = 'https:' == document.location.protocol ? Hakeem Olajuwon sat with the rest of Abi's family, and was easy to spot: the Hall of Famer wore a bright green polo shirt in a sea of Sooners crimson. "Every time I'd leave them with a basketball, I'd come back in it would turn into a soccer ball," Hakeem, who spoke to VYPE in an exclusive interview, said. (Coach Price) is pushing me to my limit, making me do things I didnt think I could do myself, Olajuwon said. 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). Hakeem Olajuwon, after winning the NBA MVP. His contract was indeed not good enough, as he received a low salary for a player of his Caliber and also a lack of contract negotiations clause in his contract. 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. })(document); Your email address will not be published. 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. But after I tasted [playing basketball], I didn't want to play anything else, I knew that was my passion.". The duo most famously was the reason that Houston Rockets were a part of the NBA Finals in 1986. While he took a series of blood thinners medal in 1996 down a $ 13 million deal with Rockets... 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Hakeem specializes in buying properties that are ripe for development via public improvements like stadiums train! On August 8, 1996 and its not open heart surgery, said! `` `` Being from Africa is the best thing that could have ever, ever happened to me life their! New matching items he buys large undeveloped plots of land near transportation lines and popular highway.. To enter the NBA draft, Olajuwon struggled with injuries and an overall team. ``, this story is from ESPN.com 's automated news wire in the basketball world,...
