Hakeem Olajuwon, born on January 21, 1963, in Nigeria, is a former professional basketball player known for his remarkable career in the NBA. Olajuwon played college basketball at the University of Houston before being selected as the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA Draft. Nicknamed "The Dream," he dominated the league with his exceptional footwork, shot-blocking skills, and scoring abilities. Olajuwon led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995 and was named the NBA Finals MVP both times. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Olajuwon retired as one of the greatest centers in basketball history, with numerous accolades and records to his name.