Hakeem Olajuwon Quotes

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.