Hakeem Olajuwon quotes

Hakeem Olajuwon is a Nigerian-born basketball player, widely regarded as one of the greatest centers in NBA history. His skillful footwork and defensive prowess set new standards for the game. He became a two-time NBA champion and is celebrated for popularizing basketball in Africa. Here are 23 of his quotes:

Basketball is in my blood. It is my obligation to try.

Hakeem Olajuwon

All these boundaries - Africa, Asia, Malaysia, America - are set by men. But you don't have to look at boundaries when you are looking at a man - at the character of a man. The question is: What do you stand for? Are you a follower, or are you a leader?

Hakeem Olajuwon

Being from Africa is the best thing that could have ever, ever happened to me. I cannot see it any other way. All of my fundamental principles that were instilled in me in my home, from my childhood, are still with me.

Hakeem Olajuwon

I love fashion as much as I love basketball! It is a great joy for me to express myself through designing my own collection.

Hakeem Olajuwon

My life is very simple. I like simplicity and for my time to be my own, so that I have the freedom to devote the majority of it to Islam. That is the foundation from which I keep everything in perspective. I also want to let people know about Islam, how Islam can be a way of life. I want them to really understand its richness and its beauty and to see that Islam is for everybody. For me, this is the most important thing. From this, everything else falls into place.

Hakeem Olajuwon

Being from Africa is the best thing that could have ever, ever happened to me. I cannot see it any other way. All of my fundamental principles that were instilled in me in my home, from my childhood, are still with me. And now, when I look at the system here and look at my position--not just as a basketball player, but when I look around me at the values of the people and the culture and compare them with the values of where I came from--I feel so blessed to be from Africa.

Hakeem Olajuwon

Allah says in the Qur'an not to despise one another. So the criterion in Islam is not color or social status. It's who is most righteous. If I go to a mosque - and I'm a basketball player with money and prestige - if I go to a mosque and see an imam, I feel inferior. He's better than me. It's about knowledge.

Hakeem Olajuwon

The people who run the show in the NBA don't know anything about Islam. I think that may also be why some people are against me personally--because I am a Muslim. It's the same way people can be against you because of the color of your skin. They don't look past these things. But it always depends on the individual.

Hakeem Olajuwon

I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success. I saw all these blessings God had given me. The way to give thanks is obedience to God.

Hakeem Olajuwon

God comes first. Paradise is not cheap.

Hakeem Olajuwon

I'm the kind of person who always wants more.

Hakeem Olajuwon

I always keep a ball in the car. You never know.

Hakeem Olajuwon

My background playing soccer gave me a natural advantage over many of the American-born players.

Hakeem Olajuwon

The difference must be distinguished between worship and respect. Islam orders you to obey and respect, as long as you are not worshiping anything other than God... Islam is a religion of peace. You don't attack. You explain.

Hakeem Olajuwon

When I look at the system here and look at my position - not just as a basketball player, but when I look around me at the values of the people and the culture and compare them with the values of where I came from - I feel so blessed to be from Africa.

Hakeem Olajuwon

I've now been in this country for thirteen years, since I was seventeen. So this is my second home.

Hakeem Olajuwon

I remember at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Shaq always wanted me to show him steps over and over.

Hakeem Olajuwon

My type of basketball is about how to create space, how to maneuver, how to get your shot off.

Hakeem Olajuwon

I don't think Michael had to retire for us to get the spotlight, because when you win, it commands attention.

Hakeem Olajuwon

When you get to that level, it's not a matter of talent anymore - because all the players are so talented - it's about preparation, about playing smart and making good decisions.

Hakeem Olajuwon