Hakeem the Dream

Even though I didn’t grow up watching him live, Hakeem Olajuwon has always stood out to me as one of the greatest players in NBA history and one of my personal favorites of all time. On the court, he was a beast. His footwork was on another level, and his signature move, the “Dream Shake,” is still talked about today. He led the Rockets to back-to-back championships in the '90s, won an MVP, two Finals MVPs, and was a dominant force on both ends of the floor. But as great as he was at basketball, what really makes Hakeem special to me is who he was and is off the court.

Hakeem was known for being incredibly humble. He never acted like he was better than anyone else, even though he clearly was one of the best. He didn’t need to be flashy or chase attention. He let his game speak for itself and carried himself with quiet confidence and class. What also makes me connect to him on a deeper level is his Muslim faith. He converted to Islam in college, and throughout his career, he stayed committed to his beliefs. He fasted during Ramadan, even during the NBA playoffs, and always gave credit to God. As a Muslim myself, it’s really inspiring to see someone at that level of success still stay grounded in their faith and values. It makes me feel proud and reminds me that I can be successful in life without having to compromise who I am.

Hakeem showed the world that you can be great and still stay humble, focused, and true to your beliefs. He didn’t just dominate the league. He did it with grace, dignity, and faith. That’s why, to me, he’s more than just a Hall of Famer or a basketball legend. He’s a role model. Watching old highlights and interviews, I see someone who represents the kind of person I want to be, not just as a fan of basketball, but as a young Muslim trying to stay true to my path. Hakeem Olajuwon wasn’t just "The Dream" on the court. He was the real deal off of it too, and that’s why he’ll always be one of my favorites.