In 1996, Nigerian-American former professional basketball player, Hakeem Olajuwon, and the United States “Dream Team III” men’s basketball team, beat Yugoslavia 95-69 to win the gold medal in the Atlanta Summer Olympics.
Olajuwon played with the Houston Rockets from 1984 until 2001, where he was then traded to the Toronto Raptors for his last season in 2002. Throughout his 18 seasons, he had 21.8 points per game, 11.1 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game.
Olajuwon was named 12-time All-NBA, 12-time NBA All-Star, 9-time All-Defensive Team, 6-time All-NBA First Team, 3-time NBA Blocks Leader, 2-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, 2-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, one-time NBA Most Valuable Player, one-time All-Rookie Team, one-time recipient of the IBM Award, and one-time NBA Sporting News Most Valuable Player of the Year.
He also is a 2-time NBA Champion where the team won in 1994 and 1995. Olajuwon became a United States citizen in 1993 which allowed him to play in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. He had the opportunity to play with the “Dream Team III” which led to a Gold Medal.
Olajuwon retired in November of 2002 and six years later, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his incredible career. Post-playing career, Olajuwon started his own basketball camps, “Big Man Camps,” where he coached college and NBA players.
He also moved into real estate in Houston and found great success. He currently resides in Houston with his family where he helps his family with basketball.
