From Nigeria to Houston: The Dream’s Path

Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Nigeria in 1963, playing soccer and handball as a boy, taking up basketball at 17. At Houston University under Guy Lewis he rose fast, forming "Phi Slama Jama" with Clyde Drexler.

In the 1984 draft Houston took him first — a historic class, with Sam Bowie and Michael Jordan right after. As a rookie he dominated; soon he was a top center.

His first decade brought playoff heartbreaks until 1994-95, when he exploded for back-to-back titles and FMVPs. He was the first Africa-born NBA champion and a pioneer of international players.

From a Lagos soccer kid to Houston’s Dream, Olajuwon told the world: basketball genius knows no border.

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