Globacom Sponsored: Hakeem Olajuwon Opens Up To Larry Madowo, Narrates  How A Lagos Boy Became The NBA’s Greatest Shot Blocker

Globacom Sponsored

 

OpenLife News reports that basketball icon, Hakeem Olajuwon, will this week feature on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, a 30-minute magazine programme sponsored by telecommunications company, Globacom.

The twelve-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion will, in a chat with CNN’s Larry Madowo, share his inspiring journey from Nigeria to the United States, where his extraordinary talent earned him the iconic nickname, “The Dream.”

The 7-foot centre, who discovered basketball in 1978 at the Muslim Teachers’ College, Lagos, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 21, 1963.

He later relocated to the United States in the early 1980s to play college basketball for the University of Houston Cougars.Olajuwon’s professional career launched when the Houston Rockets selected him as the first overall pick in the legendary 1984 NBA draft, which also featured top basketballers like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton.

Beyond his historic club career, he won an Olympic gold medal with the United States national team in 1996 and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

His outstanding career secured him inductions into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016.

Olajuwon was further celebrated on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in October 2021. He retired as the league’s all-time leader in blocked shots (3,830), remaining one of only four players in NBA history to record a quadruple-double and the absolute leader in 5×5 games.

African Voices comes up on DStv Channel 401 this Saturday at 12:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. (West African Time), with repeats scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday at 4:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., Tuesday at 6:45 p.m., and continuing next week on Saturday at 12:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Monday at 4:00 a.m.

More on Hakeem Olajuwon

Q: When is Hakeem Olajuwon on African Voices Changemakers?
A: African Voices comes up on DStv Channel 401 this Saturday at 12:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. (West African Time), with repeats Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday at 4:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., Tuesday at 6:45 p.m., and continuing next week Saturday at 12:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Monday at 4:00 a.m.

Q: Who interviews Hakeem Olajuwon on CNN?
A: CNN’s Larry Madowo interviews Hakeem Olajuwon on African Voices Changemakers.

Q: Who sponsors African Voices Changemakers?
A: African Voices Changemakers is sponsored by telecommunications company Globacom (Glo).

Q: Where was Hakeem Olajuwon born and where did he discover basketball?
A: Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 21, 1963. He discovered basketball in 1978 at the Muslim Teachers’ College, Lagos.

Q: When was Hakeem Olajuwon drafted into the NBA?
A: Olajuwon was selected as the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the legendary 1984 NBA Draft, which also featured Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and John Stockton.

Q: What are Hakeem Olajuwon’s major records?
A: Olajuwon retired as the NBA’s all-time leader in blocked shots (3,830), one of only four players in NBA history to record a quadruple-double, and the absolute leader in 5×5 games.

He is a two-time NBA champion, 12-time All-Star, 1996 Olympic gold medalist, and member of the Naismith Hall of Fame (2008), FIBA Hall of Fame (2016) and NBA 75th Anniversary Team.