Olajuwon among Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists

Former Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon has been named amongst the 15 finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Arguably the face of Houston sports, the Dream has been synonymous with the Bayou City since first emigrating from Nigeria in 1980 as a skinny prospect with a world of potential.

Local sports fans know all about Olajuwon’s storied career, which commenced at the University of Houston and progressed onwards to the Houston Rockets (we all purposefully choose to neglect his time with our neighbors to the north in Toronto). We collectively watched Phi Slama Jama break our hearts in three consecutive Final Four appearances. We communally observed as the Rockets selected Olajuwon with the first overall pick of the 1984 NBA Draft. From the “Twin Towers” to the reunion with former college running mate Clyde Drexler, from “Akeem” to “Hakeem”, from nightly temper tantrums to stoic leadership, from first round flameouts to back-to-back championships, from Guy Lewis to Rudy Tomjanovich, Olajuwon has been the driving force of Houston sports for over a quarter century.

For all of his hard work and dedication, Olajuwon’s name will be deliberated for his public enshrinement into the Hall in his first year of eligibility. Joining Oljauwon for consideration are long time nemeses Patrick Ewing and Pat Riley. Ewing’s Georgetown Hoyas defeated the Cougars in the 1984 NCAA title game. However, Olajuwon exacted his revenge ten years later in the NBA Finals, where the Rockets defeated Ewing’s Knicks, who also happened to be coached by Riley.

Others candidates in the running for the Hall's class of 2008 include former NBA standouts Chris Mullin, Adrian Dantley, and the late Dennis Johnson.

For Olajuwon to be voted into the Hall, he must receive 18 of a possible 24 votes form the Honors Committee that makes the final selection. The final class will be announced on April 7, at a news conference prior to the men’s NCAA Tournament championship game in San Antonio. Subsequently, the Class of 2008 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, MA in early September.

As for Olajuwon’s chances in his first year of eligibility? Never underestimate the heart of a champion.