Hakeem Olajuwon

Part 1: Early Life

Hakeem Olajuwon was a famous basketball player. He was born on January 21, 1963, in Lagos, Nigeria. Hakeem grew up in a big family. He had eight brothers and sisters!

As a boy, Hakeem didn't play basketball. He played soccer and handball. He was good at sports, but he didn't know about basketball yet.

Hakeem was tall. By the time he was 15 years old, he was already 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall!

Part 2: Learning Basketball

Hakeem started playing basketball when he was 15. This was very late compared to most players. But Hakeem learned fast.

He played on his school team in Nigeria. Then, he moved to the United States to go to college. He went to the University of Houston in Texas.

At first, Hakeem didn't know all the rules of basketball. But he worked hard. He practiced every day. Soon, he became very good.

Part 3: College Career

In college, Hakeem's team was very good. They went to the NCAA championship game three years in a row. The NCAA is a big college basketball tournament.

Hakeem's team was called "Phi Slama Jama." People gave them this funny name because they could jump high and dunk the ball a lot.

Hakeem became one of the best college players. He was strong and fast. He could block shots and score many points.

Part 4: Professional Career

After college, Hakeem joined the NBA (National Basketball Association). He was picked first in the NBA draft in 1984. This means he was seen as the best new player that year.

Hakeem played for the Houston Rockets. He played for this team for almost all of his career. In his last year, he played for the Toronto Raptors.

Hakeem was a center. This means he played near the basket. He was very good at:
- Scoring points
- Getting rebounds (catching the ball after missed shots)
- Blocking shots (stopping other players from scoring)

Part 5: Playing Style

Hakeem had a special way of playing. He moved very smoothly. People called his moves "The Dream Shake." This was a play on his nickname, "The Dream."

Hakeem could spin, jump, and move in ways that other big players couldn't. He was fast for a tall player. This made him hard to stop.

On defense, Hakeem was one of the best ever. He could block shots and steal the ball. He helped his team in many ways.

## Part 6: Achievements

Hakeem won many awards in his career. Here are some of his big achievements:

- He won two NBA championships (in 1994 and 1995).
- He was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1994.
- He was Defensive Player of the Year two times.
- He was an All-Star 12 times. All-Stars are the best players each year.
- He is one of the few players to get more than 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 3,000 blocked shots in his career.

Part 7: Playing for His Country

Hakeem played for two countries in international games. First, he played for Nigeria, the country where he was born. He played in the 1980 All-Africa Games.

Later, Hakeem became a US citizen. He played for the USA in the 1996 Olympics. His team won the gold medal.

Part 8: Life Outside Basketball

Hakeem is a Muslim. His religion is very important to him. He fasted during Ramadan, even during the basketball season. This means he didn't eat or drink during the day for one month each year.

Hakeem is married and has a family. He has eight children.

He speaks several languages: English, Arabic, French, and Yoruba (a language from Nigeria).

Part 9: After Basketball

Hakeem retired from basketball in 2002. After he stopped playing, he stayed involved in basketball. He sometimes teaches other players his special moves.

Hakeem also does business. He invests in real estate (buying and selling buildings and land). He has his own clothing line too.

Hakeem does a lot of charity work. He helps people in the United States and in Africa. He built a hospital in Jordan to help people there.

Part 10: Legacy

People remember Hakeem as one of the best centers in NBA history. He changed the way big players play basketball. He showed that tall players can be fast and skilled, not just strong.

Hakeem is in the Basketball Hall of Fame. This is a special place that honors the best basketball players ever.

Many NBA players today try to learn from Hakeem. They want to move like him and be good at both offense and defense.

Vocabulary List

Here are some important words from the article:

1. Soccer - a sport played with feet and a round ball
2. Handball - a team sport played with hands and a small ball
3. NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association, organizes college sports in the USA
4. Tournament - a competition with many games
5. Dunk - to score by putting the ball directly through the hoop with your hands
6. Draft - when professional teams choose new players
7. Center - a position in basketball, usually for tall players
8. Defense - trying to stop the other team from scoring
9. Smoothly - moving in an easy, fluid way
10. Spin - to turn around quickly
11. International - between different countries
12. Citizen - a person who legally belongs to a country
13. Fast - to not eat or drink for a period of time
14. Retired - stopped working or playing professionally
15. Charity - helping people in need
16. Legacy - how people remember someone after they stop playing or die

Questions about Hakeem Olajuwon

Part 1: Early Life
1. When was Hakeem Olajuwon born?
2. Where was Hakeem born?
3. How many brothers and sisters did Hakeem have?

Part 2: Learning Basketball
4. How old was Hakeem when he started playing basketball?
5. What sports did Hakeem play before basketball?
6. Where did Hakeem go to college?

Part 3: College Career
7. What was the funny name of Hakeem's college team?
8. How many times did Hakeem's college team go to the NCAA championship game?

Part 4: Professional Career
9. Which NBA team did Hakeem play for most of his career?
10. What position did Hakeem play in basketball?

Part 5: Playing Style
11. What was the name of Hakeem's special moves?
12. Was Hakeem fast or slow for a tall player?

Part 6: Achievements
13. How many NBA championships did Hakeem win?
14. In which year was Hakeem the Most Valuable Player (MVP)?
15. How many times was Hakeem an All-Star?

Part 7: Playing for His Country
16. Which two countries did Hakeem play for in international games?
17. What did Hakeem win in the 1996 Olympics?

Part 8: Life Outside Basketball
18. What is Hakeem's religion?
19. How many languages does Hakeem speak?

Part 9: After Basketball
20. In what year did Hakeem retire from basketball?
21. What kind of business does Hakeem do after basketball?

Part 10: Legacy
22. Where can you find Hakeem's name today, showing he was a great player?

Vocabulary Practice
23. What does "dunk" mean in basketball?
24. What is a "draft" in professional sports?
25. What does "retired" mean?