- Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon was a Nigerian American professional basketball player.
- Hakeem Olajuwon led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.
- Olajuwon is considered one of the greatest centers ever to play the game.
- In 1996 Olajuwon was a member of the Olympic gold-medal-winning United States national team, and was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
- He ended his career as the league's all-time leader in blocked shots.
- In 1994 Olajuwon became the only player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season.
- Hakeem Olajuwon was the first foreign-born player to win the league's MVP award.
- Olajuwon became a naturalized American citizen after the 1993 season.
- In addition to English, Olajuwon is fluent in French, Arabic, and the Nigerian languages of Yoruba and Ekiti. "Olajuwon" translates to "always being on top" in Yoruba.
- One of the 4 players in NBA history to have ever recorded a quadruple-double.
- All-time leader in blocked shots. (note: the NBA did not keep statistics for blocked shots until the 1973-74 season)
- Olajuwon is also in the top ten in blocks, scoring, rebounding, and steals. He is the only player in NBA history placed in the top ten for all four categories.
- All-time NBA Playoffs leader in total blocks with 472 and blocks per game with 3.3 per game.
- In 1989, Olajuwon had 282 blocks and 218 steals, becoming the only NBA player to record over 200 blocks and 200 steals in a season.
Hakeem Olajuwon facts
