It’s not everyday that something big like this happens in our small city.

Basketball superstar Hakeem Olajuwon was the star of assemblies recently during third and fourth periods.

“I thought it would be beneficial to the school if someone so successful came and spoke to everyone,” Principal Greg Quinn said.  “Hakeem Olajuwon overcame many struggles: a language barrier, a new country and more.”

In 1980, Olajuwon emigrated from his home country of Nigeria to play basketball at the University of Houston under Coach Guy Lewis, and helped lead the school to national prominence as “Akeem the Dream.” The squad, nicknamed Phi Slamma Jamma, made consecutive Final Four appearances with Olajuwon and fellow Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler. In 1984, Olajuwon was drafted by the Houston Rockets.

“Hakeem was definitely the big man on campus at UH; everyone knew who he was,” said journalism teacher Jerry Fordyce, who attended UH with Olajuwon and covered him as a sports writer for Houston Post.  “Not only was he a great role model, but also the best center in the NBA.”

Olajuwon became the only player in NBA history to win the NBA’s MVP award, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP award all in one season.  He has played in the NBA with the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and led UH to the Final Four three times.

“I went to see the Rockets play Orlando Magic at the Summit when Shaquille O’Neal was just new to the league,” Quinn said.  “Olajuwon was incredible but I was surprised by how big Shaq was!  I thought to myself, ‘How do you make a 7-foot guy disappear by standing in front of him?’”

With some connections from Mary Roach, PAP World History teacher, Quinn was able to get Olajuwon to come visit our school.  The call came the week before Christmas, Quinn and Olajuwon scheduled a day where he would come up and talk to the students.

“I told the director, ‘If he’s ever in town, I’d love for him to come visit the school!’” Quinn said.  “This is a huge deal to me.  I’m a big fan, he’s probably one of the best five pro-athletes I’ve ever seen.”