Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon is not only the best foreign born player to ever play in the NBA, but he is one of the best players ever period.  Born in Lagos Nigeria, Olajuwon grew up playing soccer (mostly as a goalie due to his height) and didn’t touch a basketball until he was 15.  He credits his soccer playing days for his good footwork and balance, something he used extremely well in the post for years.  At the age of 18, Olajuwon came to the United States to play basketball for the University of Houston.  Still very raw, Olajuwon got limited minutes early in his college career, but after spending the off-seasons working out with Moses Malone he rapidly improved.  He went on to be the number one draft pick by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA draft.  That draft was arguably the best draft class ever, including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and John Stockton.

Olajuwon was a star as soon as he stepped on the court for the Rockets as a rookie, averaging 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.7 blocks while shooting 54% from the field.  He went on to average similar numbers the rest of his career and finished with career averages of 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 3.1 blocks while shooting 51% from the field.  His career numbers would have been even better if not for his last three seasons where injuries and age caught up with the 7-foot, 255-pound Nigerian.  Olajuwon used an array of post moves and had a very nice face-up game with quick footwork and a soft touch.  Many have declared Olajuwon as having the best footwork for a big-man ever.  He was a complete force on the defensive end too, always near the top of the league in blocked shots and winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1993 and 1994.  He is also the only center ever to rank in the top 10 in career steals.

When Michael Jordan left the league to pursue a baseball career, Olajuwon completely took over the league, winning the 1994 MVP award and leading the Rockets to back-to-back NBA Titles in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons.  Olajuwon was a true professional and a very humble big man.  He credits his Muslim faith with those characteristics and he never forgot his African roots, constantly donating money in and around his home country of Nigeria.  He even sponsored a pair of Spalding basketball shoes, costing only $35, stating that working parents should not have to spend $100 for their kids’ sneakers.  Named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, Hakeem was a phenomenal basketball player, and has been a great person.