NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon is bringing his decades of basketball expertise to Guyana, engaging with players, coaches, and fans today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown from 5 p.m.
The visit is supported by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport as part of government’s plans for basketball advancement.
Born in Nigeria, the 62-year-old carved out a legendary 18-year career in the NBA, becoming one of the sport’s most revered figures.
According to NBA official statistics, the two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, was selected first overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets — ahead of Michael Jordan — and quickly made an impact, averaging 20.6 points and 11.9 rebounds as a rookie.
Nicknamed “The Dream”, Olajuwon led the Rockets to back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995. During the 1993–94 season, he made history by becoming the first player to win the NBA MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same campaign.
He averaged 29.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game in a gripping seven-game Finals series against the New York Knicks.
He followed that with a career-best 27.8 points per game the next season, guiding the sixth-seeded Rockets to a second consecutive title, outshining fellow stars David Robinson and Shaquille O’Neal along the way.
His signature “Dream Shake” — a mix of spins, fakes and agile footwork — became one of the most iconic moves in basketball.
Olajuwon retired in 2002 as the NBA’s all-time leader in blocked shots (3,830), and remains the Houston Rockets’ career leader in points, rebounds, steals and blocks. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
A devout Muslim, he often played through Ramadan, fasting during the day and crediting his faith for his focus and discipline on the court. In retirement, he has mentored a new generation of NBA players, including Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony.
From humble beginnings in Lagos to becoming a global basketball icon, Olajuwon’s influence continues to inspire both on and off the court.
