Hakeem Olajuwon, commonly known as "The Dream," was born to Nigerian parents in Lagos, Nigeria on April 17, 1963. He represented Nigeria at the Olympics in 1984, 1988 and 1992. He was the first foreign born player to be drafted in the NBA when he was selected by the Houston Rockets in 1984. Olajuwon spent his entire 18-year career with the Rockets (1984-2003)
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During his career he won five NBA championships (1985, 1986, 1994, 1995 and 1997) and an Olympic gold medal (1992). He was named NBA MVP twice (1994, 1995) and earned six All-NBA honors (1987-1992). He is a 15-time All-Star (1988-2001), earned 14 consecutive All-Star game selections (1988-2001), was named NBA Finals MVP (1994) and earned three Defensive Player of Year honors (1989-1991).
He is one of just four players in NBA history to win an NCAA national championship and an NBA championship. He won the Naismith Award for Most Valuable Player in 1994.