Hakeem Olajuwon is known as one of the best centers ever to play the game and one of the most accomplished players in league history. His name holds status among such greats as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996-97 by the NBA, Olajuwon performs with agility, quick moves and unprecedented shooting skills and techniques. He led the Houston Rockets to the only NBA championships in franchise history. In 1993-94 he became the first player to be named NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP in the same season as Houston won its first NBA championship. The next season proved just as successful when Olajuwon took the Rockets from a sixth seed in the playoffs to their second straight NBA crown.
His outstanding play continued through the years as he developed new spins, fadeaways and jump shots, propelling him to a new level of offense that was virtually unstoppable.
In the next four seasons Olajuwon averaged 26.1, 27.3, 27.8 and 26.9 points per game. In 1993 he garnered recognition as NBA Defensive Player of the Year and runner-up for league MVP with the Rockets winning 55 games and advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Following his victorious 1994-95 championship season, Olajuwon was named to the 1996 Dream Team, which won gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.