Hakeem Olajuwon - Post-NBA Life

Post-NBA Life

Olajuwon played for 20 consecutive seasons in the Houston area, first collegiately for the Cougars and then the Rockets. He still maintains a home in the area, and is considered a local icon and one of Houston's most beloved athletes. Olajuwon has had great success in the Houston real estate market, with his estimated profits exceeding $100 million. He buys in cash-only purchases, as it is against Islamic law to pay interest. Olajuwon spends his time going back and forth between Jordan, where he moved with his family to pursue Islamic studies, and his ranch in the vicinity of Houston, Texas.

In the 2006 NBA offseason, Olajuwon opened his first Big Man Camp, where he teaches young frontcourt players the finer points of playing in the post. While Olajuwon never expressed an interest in coaching a team, he wishes to give back to the game by helping younger players. When asked whether the league was becoming more guard-oriented and big men were being de-emphasized, Olajuwon responded, "For a big man who is just big, maybe. But not if you play with speed, with agility. It will always be a big man's game if the big man plays the right way. On defense, the big man can rebound and block shots. On offense, he draws double-teams and creates opportunities. He can add so much, make it easier for the entire team." He runs the camp for free. Olajuwon has worked with several NBA players, including power forward Emeka Okafor, and center Yao Ming. In September 2009, he also worked with Kobe Bryant on the post moves and the Dream Shake. More recently he has been working with Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers, helping him diversify his post moves and encouraging more mental focus. He has also worked with LeBron James, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Denver Nuggets big men JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried.

Olajuwon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2008.