In the 1980s and 1990s Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon ranked among the best centers that the NBA had ever seen. He won two NBA titles and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
But today, The Dream is receiving congratulations for continuing his basketball legacy.
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On Saturday, multiple outlets confirmed that Olajuwon’s son Aziz Olajuwon has committed to Stanford for his college basketball career. Aziz is a four-star small forward who also had offers from numerous power conference programs. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 61 player in the Class of 2026.
“NEWS: 4⭐️ Aziz Olajuwon, the son of NBA Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, has committed to Stanford, he told @Rivals . The 6-7 small forward also considered schools like Vanderbilt, Cincinnati, and Houston,” joe Tipton of On3 Sports reported today.
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The congratulations have been pouring in for the Olajuwon family in the wake of the news:
“Happy for Aziz- go be great man!” one user wrote on X.
“What a commitment for the Cardinal! Welcome to the farm!” wrote another.
“If you’re gonna Dream, Dream big! Let’s go!” a third replied.
“Will be watching.”
1993: A CANDID PORTRAIT OF HOUSTON ROCKETS CENTER HAKEEM OLAJUWON ON THE BENCH BEFORE A GAME AGAINST THE NUGGETS.Tim Defrisco/ALLSPORT
Legacy of The Dream
Hakeem Olajuwon enjoyed a storied NBA career from 1984 to 2002, primarily with the Houston Rockets before finishing with one season in Toronto. Drafted first overall in 1984, he was already known for his footwork, athleticism, and skill even from his college days. Early in his NBA tenure, he formed the “Twin Towers” with Ralph Sampson, helping the Rockets reach the 1986 NBA Finals. Over the years, he established himself as a dominant center — leading the league in rebounds twice, blocks three times, earning two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and being named a 12-time All-Star.
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Olajuwon’s crowning glory came in the mid-1990s. In the 1993-94 season, he became the first player in NBA history to win the league MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season while leading the Rockets to their first NBA championship in 1994. The next year, he backed it up by defending the title against the emerging Orlando Magic, earning another Finals MVP. Offensively, he was famous for his low-post moves—especially the “Dream Shake”—and defensively, his shot-blocking and ability to steal, a combination rare for a center. He ranks among the all-time greats: nearly 27,000 points, over 13,700 rebounds, 3,800+ blocks, and many honors including being named one of the 50 Greatest Players and later part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.