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Olajuwon Goes to Toronto
HOUSTON, Aug 3 (News Agencies) - The Houston Rocket's star Muslim basketball player, Hakeem Olajuwon, has been traded to the Toronto Raptors for two draft picks after he turned down his former team's latest contract offer of a $13 million guaranteed over three years.
Toronto reportedly offered him $17 million for three years.
Les Alexander, the Rockets owner, speaking to media on Wednesday said, "Hakeem's decision is disappointing for the entire Rockets organization. Hakeem Olajuwon has meant more to this franchise and this city than any other athlete in Houston history."
The city of Houston was caught surprised by Olajuwon's decision. Olajuwon had been with the Rockets for seventeen years. Many in Houston had hoped that the star center's career, which included back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995, would not end anywhere else but in Houston. He had started out his basketball career in the same city, playing college basketball with the University of Houston Cougars.
Dan Fegan, Olajuwon's agent said, "The primary reason was Hakeem felt his time as a dominant Rocket had passed, but his time as a dominant player had not. He felt it was time to pass the torch to the next generation. He doesn't deny it was an emotional decision. Hakeem 100% liked being a Rocket."
Over the years Olajuwon accumulated staggering wealth, building two houses in Houston, and apart from which he carries influence in the community, being a positive role model for the youth. He has built two mosques in Houston.
"It's all so humbling," Olajuwon said. "I never imagined it would be like this. So good. So full."
"Everybody knows that America is the land of opportunity," he said. "It certainly was for me. But success isn't given to you, even here. Whatever your profession is, you have to work hard and seize the moment. If you concentrate on your goals, do the right things and pray to God, everything will turn out OK. In this country, you have a chance to realize your dreams."
Olajuwon, now an naturalized U.S. citizen, won a Olympic gold medal with the 1996 Dream Team. In 1997, he was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. Olajuwon played in 58 games for the Rockets last season, averaging 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and making 49.8 percent of his shots.
In his 17 seasons with the Rockets, Olajuwon averaged 22.5 points and 11.4 rebounds. He is the NBA's career blocked shots leader with 3,740 and a 14-time All-Star.
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