Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon

by Mirin Fader

The life and legacy of pioneering international basketball superstar Hakeem Olajuwon, a two‑time NBA champion whose Hall of Fame career forever changed the game, both in the United States and around the globe—from the New York Times bestselling author of Giannis , Mirin Fader.

It’s now the norm for NBA and collegiate teams to have international players dotting their rosters. The Olympics are no longer a gimme for Team USA. Both via fans streaming from all over the globe and leagues starting in countries throughout the world, the international presence of the game of basketball is a force to be reckoned with.

That all started with Hakeem “the Dream” Olajuwon. He was the first international player to win the MVP, which is hard to believe now considering the last time an American‑born player won it was four years ago. Award-winning hoops journalist Mirin Fader explores this phenomenal shift through the lens of what Olajuwon accomplished throughout the 1980s and ‘90s. Dream ignites nostalgia for Phi Slama Jama and “the Dream Shake,” while also exploring the profound influence of Olajuwon’s Muslim faith on his approach to life and basketball, and how his devotion to his faith inspired generations of Muslim people around the world.

Olajuwon’s ongoing work with NBA Africa, his status as an international ambassador for the game, and his consultations with today’s brightest stars, from LeBron James to Giannis Antetokounmpo, brings the story right up to the present moment, and beyond. Synthesizing hundreds of interviews and in-depth research, Fader provides the definitive biography of Olajuwon as well as a crucial understanding of his pivotal impact on the ever-shifting game.

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Biography, Nonfiction, Islam, Biography Memoir, History

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Miriam T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book, which is especially hard to do when i’m someone who doesn’t really read about sports. This book is a comprehensive look at Olajuwon: from childhood to his illustrious career to his post-retirement life in real estate and philanthropy. He’s really a remarkable and interesting person and Mirin does such a good job painting this picture. The book has great pacing so even when it gets in the weeds of a certain game here or there, it doesn’t dwell there for long; it moves through it all really nicely. I found the aspects of Olajuwon coming back to Islam and the ways that he integrated Islam into his NBA career to be the strongest parts of the book. I was so moved!

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 1984 NBA draft, Hakeem Olajuwaon was the first player selected, making him the first African native to be the first overall draft selection. How he became a legendary basketball player when his first sports love in his native Nigeria was team handball is a fascinating story, and author Mirin Fader tells about Hakeem’s life and basketball career in the excellent book.

As was the case with her book on another NBA superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Fader writes with equal amounts of information and intrigue on both Olajuwon's basketball career and his personal life. The latter includes not only his upbringing in Nigeria but also how his Islam faith is very important to him as well as treating others with respect and his demeanor off the court, which is very different than on it.

Fader’s work on Olajuwon’s basketball career is also excellent in its completeness and detail. She describes his inner test in basketball gaining traction and from encouragement from coaches, he starts playing in leagues in Nigeria. It is in these games where he started learning the basics and his exceptional athleticism gained in handball helped excel in this sport as well. He eventually lands a scholarship from the University of Houston where he was part of the exciting “Phi Slamma Jamma” teams. Then he stays in Houston with the Rockets and cements his place in the all-time greats by leading the Rockets to consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.

It should be noted that the research and interviews by Fader are key to the outstanding writing she does because of the insight the subjects gave. This goes all the way from his Nigerian coaches to current NBA players to who Hakeem has provided workouts and tips, something he has done since ending his career with Toronto Raptors in 2002. Another nice touch by Fader is her writing about stories that may or may not be true, such as how he eventually decided to attend the University of Houston and how the spelling of his first name was eventually corrected in the press from “Akeem” to “Hakeem”.

Whether the topic is basketball, African culture or Islam, the reader will learn much in this book on how important they were in the life of one of the greatest centers in the history of the game.

I wish to thank the publisher for providing a review copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...

[Gemini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive

Not knowing anything about Olajuwon beyond his NBA career, I was really excited to learn more about the person. This book did a great job of describing his evolution from knowing nothing about the game to being one of the most dominant players ever in just a few years. It gives him the proper credit of being the first international superstar in the league. I love that this book highlighted his intelligence and humble demeanor. There were so many quotes from basketball legends praising Olajuwon and his game. I was in awe of some of the best players in the modern day era of the game that went to him for mentorship. It’s evident how well respected he is. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about his life and his legacy. I’m a sucker for a sports documentary. This book spoke to that love. It was great to get so much basketball history throughout the whole book.

[John Schorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very meat and potatoes biography of a basketball player whose impact on the international growth of the game demands greater attention. The recounting of Olajuwon's career is basic stuff, but the fascinating parts here discuss his relationship to his religion. Of particular note is the role faith plays in his maturation as a player and a person. Nothing astounding here, but a worthwhile read.

[Dave Hambleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been almost thirty years since Hakeem Olajuwon penned his autobiography, LIVING THE DREAM, and I’ve been dreaming for more from the second I finished it. Well … the wait is over! Mirin Fader’s DREAM: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HAKEEM OLAJUWON is incredible. It obviously covers his humble beginnings to his rise as the world’s best basketball player but also covers what he was up to in the years following his autobiography’s release like his time in Toronto, his reaction to 9/11 as a Muslim, and his various post-playing business ventures. Like Olajuwon’s defensive prowess, I blocked everything out and dialed in to finish it faster than the Dream dismantled the Admiral in the 1995 NBA playoffs. And I think you will, too.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as the NBA playoffs were starting. That's great accidental petfect timing 😆. I watched Hakeem and The Houston Rockets in the 1990's growing up. The author meticulously researched for the book. It also includes information about his Muslim faith and how he created a pathway for more people from the African continent to play in the NBA. As I only saw him in his prime I didn't realize he was fiery in his early years of playing basketball in the US. I enjoyed hearing about his journey.
*format =audio book. I love that they used a Nigerian narrator. It added so much dimension.

[Albert Gunnison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and a must-read for basketball history junkies like myself

[Philip Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 34 stars if possible.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one is better than Mirin Fader right now at taking larger than life figures and painting in the life experiences and moments that have made them who they are.

[Phillip Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

You should pick up Mirin Fader’s newest book Dream: The Life and Legacy of Happen Olajuwon. It’s so good!

Earlier this year when I read Charlie Hustle: The Rise And Fall of Pete Rose, And The Last Glory Days Of Baseball, I was thinking “This is good, but it would be even better if Pete Rose wasn’t a giant garbage bag of a person.” I’m so thankful for this book.

Fader does an incredible job in telling the story of Hakeem from when he was a young man growing up in Nigeria to his years in Houston. Maybe the most remarkable part of all of this is that Fader didn’t have access to Olajuwon himself. He does not give interviews for books or stories about himself due in part to his religious beliefs on pride and ego. All of this information came from more than 250 interviews with friends and colleagues throughout his life.

Plus, “Dream” is one of the coolest nicknames in the history of sports.

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I love stories about amazing athletes who didn’t start playing their sport until their late teens.

One of the most remarkable things about Hakeem’s story is that he didn’t even start playing basketball in Nigeria until he was a teenager. He was a handball player as a kid and had to be talked into playing basketball.

Stories about athletes like Hakeem are even more impressive because he wasn’t playing the sport from the age of three. Imagine how good he would’ve been had he played as a child.

Hakeem’s transformation from out-of-control, young man to calm, mature adult is inspiring.

As a young player in the NBA, Hakeem was out of control. He was regularly fighting opponents during games and fighting his teammates in practice. Then, he rededicated his life to Islam, and his attitude and perspective changed completely.

Hakeem began to play under more control, rarely getting in trouble on or off the court. His purchases of clothing and cars were far less ostentatious. He was a new man.

As he guided the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships, Hakeem dominated players like Charles Barkley, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, and Shaquille O’Neal.

I wish I could’ve seen him in his prime.

I was too young in the late ’80s and early ’90s to have seen Hakeem Olajuwon at his prime. Plus, my parents were not NBA parents. Growing up in North Carolina, we watched college basketball when I was young almost exclusively. So, I missed his peak when he was the most dominant.

Since reading this book, I have gone back to watch highlights of Hakeem, and for how dominant he was at that time, part of me thinks that he also was way ahead of his time. If he’s playing in the late ’90s to early 2000s, his game would have fit in even better at that time.

He was just such an incredible athlete and basketball player.

[Maliika Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember watching the great Hakeem Olajuwon throughout his career. I always wondered how he immigrated from Nigeria to the University of Houston. Who taught him the Dream Shake? When and why did he become Muslim as an adult? Thousands of young men try to make the NBA yearly, and the odds are stacked against them. How did this African youth become one of the greatest NBA players ever? I found some answers in Mirin Fader’s new biography, Dream: The Life & Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon.

Mirin Fader interviewed over 260 people to bring Hakeem Olajuwon’s life to us. We meet a young Hakeem in Nigeria and follow his journey to the United States, his development, and his return to his Muslim faith. I was surprised to learn of Hakeem’s temperament early in his career and his realization he needed to change. The Hakeem that emerges is the Hakeem we remember. Learning how Islam changed Hakeem’s approach to everything in his life was a powerful revelation. I loved that the author focused on Hakeem as a person and how he evolved, not just his on-court accomplishments.

I attended Mirin Fader’s book reading event in NYC and asked her who her favorite people were to interview for the book. Great players such as Michael Cooper (Lakers) shared that they hated guarding Hakeem, while his friend and advisor, Henri de Ybarrondo, provided a personal perspective about Olajuwon.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about Hakeem Olajuwon outside of his hall-of-fame career and about the influence of his Muslim faith on fellow Africans and others of the faith.

Mirin Fader is also the author of the recent Giannis biography, which I also loved. She has become one of my favorite sports writers.

Dream is a marvelous biography that gives readers the factors that impacted the man we know as Hakeem Olajuwon. Readers will learn about Hakeem as a man and how he grew into the person he is today. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5 because I learned much more about Hakeem, the man, and how his faith shaped who he became on and off the court.

[Joseph Stieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Hoop heads should definitely check this out (makes a great listen). Hakeem is arguably the best international player ever, and he helped usher in the present-day era in which international players are increasingly dominating the NBA. Fader does a great job telling Hakeem's fascinating story. He started as a lanky but graceful handball and soccer player before getting recruited to play basketball for Nigerian teams in his teens. He was a latecomer to the game who didn't fully grasp the rules and lingo until well into college. But he attracted attention from US scouts because of his size, speed, dexterity, and work ethic. Fader discusses his time at the University of Houston, where he adjusted to American life very quickly, defying many contemporaneous stereotypes about African people.

I never realized that Hakeem was actually quite the fighter in his early years until he deepened his Islamic faith. After that point, he remained a competitor but always had a broader perspective on life. He became a sort of cultural ambassador to the US for Islam and Africa, and he practiced his faith with great piety and commitment. This included fasting during Ramadan to the point of not even drinking water during games. It was also interesting to see how Hakeem became a patron of African basketball development and the Islamic community in the United States, especially after 9/11.

Anyways, this book has a great balance of hoop stuff and cultural history/biography that I found compelling. Check it out!

[Colin Cerniglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was too young to fully appreciate the "Dream Shake" or Hakeem Olajuwon’s greatness, but I knew of him and was eager to learn more when I saw that Mirin Fader had written his definitive biography.

The book did not disappoint. It’s packed with incredible stories—on and off the court—about a man who transformed repeatedly throughout his life. Once hot-tempered, he became deeply grounded in his faith. Born in Lagos, he later called Houston home before moving to Jordan and building a house on a mountaintop. Critics said he couldn’t win a championship—then he won two, back-to-back. The same mentality that fueled his dominance on the court later helped him build a real estate empire.

Fader once called this book a "prequel" to her NYT bestseller Giannis, and it fits the bill. But make no mistake—Olajuwon and Antetokounmpo couldn’t be more different. Giannis still has years left in the NBA and a life beyond it, and we can only hope he gives back the way Olajuwon has. But their contrasts are striking: Hakeem spent freely when he first made the league, while Giannis famously returned his first PlayStation. Hakeem played with fire and had to finesse his game; Giannis had to develop his dominance. Yet both come from humble beginnings and strong support systems, offering a blueprint for Giannis—if he chooses to follow it.

Hakeem Olajuwon was not only a legendary basketball player but also a role model for the Muslim community and a relentlessly curious person who has lived many full lives of his own.

[Marcus Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

From his fairly awkward childhood of being a giant to Hakeem’s road to philanthropy, mentor and B.W.B. work to help grow the game in Africa, it’s amazing to see how much Hakeem grew from the start of his hoops journey.
There is such amazing detailed used to capture so much of what Olajuwon experienced; the kid who brought a red sharpie and her Houston jersey to school for Olajuwon to sign; Hakeem’s experience of hooping (his ass off) during Ramadan, it’s all in incredible detail. So much so that I feel like I was there for Houston’s B2B titles.
What’s most amazing is how Ms Fader managed to portray such an image about a person who’s a devout Muslim, meaning he doesn’t bask much in his own glory.
That also means, many other people spoke so highly of Hakeem that Ms. Fader could write and tell this story about one of the all-time greats through the lens of others.
I think that’s important, especially from his college days, to capture what type of person Hakeem was…is.
I love that Kobe, Giannis (whom she also wrote a book about btw), former teammates, coaches and those around him speak glowingly (and in some cases, remind us of how far he’s come haha) about Hakeem.
This book does a tremendous job in all aspects!

[Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a basketball fan, nor a Muslim, but I am a Houstonian and you can't have lived in Houston while Dream was playing without knowledge of how awesome of a player he was. Hakeem Olajuwon changed the face of college basketball and the NBA. One of the first international players to play in on US college team, and to be drafted in the NBA, he left a legacy that few would have expected. This book is the story of how that legacy was started.

Beginning in Lagos and ending in Houston, through college, the NBA, and retirement, all aspects of Hakeem's career are examined. From how he came to basketball at an older age than most kids, to how his religion affected his career, to mentoring younger players in retirement. I have become a Dream fan, not of the basketball player, but as a person. His journey is very inspirational and every teen athlete looking to make it to the big game should definitely read this book. I highly recommend this biography to everyone. #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Lulu Kesin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mirin Fader is an incredible writer who conveys such nuance and authenticity in her work. She has a beautiful ability to connect with her subjects and in this book, does an exceptional job telling the layers of Hakeem Olajuwon's story. It's a rich story as Mirin interviewed nearly 300 people for the book, but reads so smoothly. The book covers his upbringing and youth in Nigeria, faith/religion. basketball, and how aspects of our personal life intersect with sports. I was not surprised with the top-tier writing, given that her first book was so great, and I was not the slightest bit disappointed either. I fully believe both sports fans and non-sports fans will not only enjoy this book but benefit from the story as well. One of the best sports books I've read in the last year and Mirin is one of the best sports writers in the country right now. Her writing is a gift to all readers.

[Tim McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This is just as important for the cultural aspect (of learning about Africa and African culture) as it is for revisiting Olajuwon’s stellar career. His story needed to be told, in this remarkable way. He is arguably one of the most important basketball players ever, when you take into account what he’s done, and continues to do, for the perception of international players and their potential. There wasn’t a foreign NCAA or NBA presence prior to his arrival. Simply put, he changed the nature of the game - for the better! He brought a quickness and fluidity - especially for big men - that hadn’t been seen before. And his highly sought after mentorship, teaching his incredible footwork and legendary Dream Shake to everyone from role players to superstars, speaks for itself. He has cemented his place as one of the greatest basketball players of all time!

[sir chester snickerdoodle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hakeem Olajuwon really is one of the most captivating stories. A 6-10” kid found running around on a soccer field in the middle of Africa. Never heard of basketball. Never picked up a basketball until he was 15. Just years later, leading a small school to the brink of an NCAA championship, becoming the number one overall pick (ahead of Michael Jordan), running, passing and stealing like a guard, blocking more shots than anyone in the history of the sport, dragging his teams to back to back titles, and averaging 30, 10 and 3 blocks while fasting during Ramadan (not even drinking water during games or otherwise).

The odds are one in a zillion.

This book is full of that but so much more that goes beyond games and mostly into the person behind the genius.

It’s also refreshing seeing such a great sports book written by a female writer.

[Tom Gase · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well researched book on one of the best NBA players of all time, Hakeem Olajuwon. Some good stuff early on how he was "discovered" and went to the University of Houston as part of Phi Slama Jama team that went to back to back NCAA title games in 83 and 84. The book also does a good job of describing the 1984 draft, where Olajuwon stayed in the same city after being drafted by the Rockets. I felt a lot of the rest of the book was rushed. I was hoping to get more information on the 86 Rockets and some more information on the 94 and 95 teams. There is stuff on those teams, but wish it went into more detail. Instead the detail was saved for chapters on his religion and although it's needed for the book, I would have spent maybe a little less time on that, more time on the championship teams. Just my opinion. He seems like a really nice dude as well as a good player and I'm glad I read.

[Joe Cisneros · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. However, two issues ruined this book for me. First, the author seemed more intent to inject her progressive views into the story. To the extent that, at times, the discussion of actual basketball suffered. For example, there is only six pages dedicated to the entirety of the 1983 NCAA tournament, the event that really put Phi Slama Jama into our culture. Barely one page about the final championship game against NC State. In addition, she just get basketball facts wrong. As another example, when discussing the 1987 playoff series against the Sonics, she refers to headcoach George Karl. While Karl later coached the Sonics, that year he was leading the Golden State Warriors to the playoffs (where Sleepy Floyd had 29 points in the fourth quarter in one game agains the Lakers). It is unbelievable that no caught this mistake.

[Rudy Dyck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fairly boring. I really enjoyed her previous book on Giannis. That was really interesting. This book was not. The first half was better but ultimately Hakeem origin story simply wasn't that interesting. Outside of an early period of partying as having a temper in his 20s he is portrayed as a saint. There are very few memorable stories. This book has the excitement of a Wikipedia page. Maybe if Hakeem actually agreed to be interviewed for the book we would have some better content.

There is a significant amount of time spent on his Islamic faith which is fine. But it can drag. He’s portrayed as overly altruistic which seems a bit over done given reports of him charging players $50k for a week of training.

Overall I have read far more interesting basketball books than this one.

[Chris Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read, if only because of the record-setting it does. So many things have been misunderstood or incorrectly reported about Hakeem Olajuwon over the years. Mirin's book takes us all behind the scenes, to the people who knew him best—before he was a basketball star—to get us his truth. The project is so layered and nuanced, particularly with regards to his religion, and the way he chooses to approach his life. We might have known less about Hakeem than any modern NBA star, just because of how private he is. But I feel like I know far more about him now because of this read and all the different angles it sheds light on.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent, poignant, deeply reported book on one of the NBA greats. Author Mirin Fader interviews many across the history of the NBA to capture Olajuwon’s story. Often of her interview subjects she writing, That the person is “now 87” or “interviewed in 2023 before their death.” In completing these conversations, she captures a golden age of collegiate and NBA basketball. Of course she is having these conversations in an effort to fully tell the seemingly improbable story of Olajuwon’s journey to America, D1 basketball and the NBA. A gripping, delightful, detailed read, anyone can enjoy this book.

[Kaleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome look into the life and career of one of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA. The unlikely story of Hakeem Olajuwon learning the game of basketball at 16 and then becoming who he was in the NBA is remarkable. I also learned about his dedication to his faith which has shaped him into the man that he is today. This is my second book by Miran Fader. The first which was great as well, about Giannis Antetokounmpo, made me pick this up and I was not disappointed. Must read for basketball fans!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mirin Fader's deeply researched dive on the Hakeem Olajuwon is a delight for basketball and non-basketball fans alike. Woven together from countless interviews, Fader paints a detailed picture of Hakeem, taking us from the streets of Lagos, Nigeria to the bright lights of the NBA. The stories told by opponents of his devastating post moves -- and childlike joy with which he inflicted them upon his hapless foils -- left me cackling. Love the book. Love The Dream.

[Amar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olajuwon is not often the topic of discussion, and that’s the way he prefers it. I enjoyed reading about how dramatically his life shifted moving from Lagos to Houston, and again how dramatically it shifted when he refocused on Islam. Before refocusing, he was emotionally lost in an unfamiliar country. Returning to Islam gave him a guiding post that he used to direct his life both on and off the court.

Worth a read if you’re a fan of Olajuwon or if you liked Fader’s book on Giannis.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read Olajuwon’s autobiography a couple of times and the initial part of this biography doesn’t offer much additional information about his journey.

However, this biography SHINES when it delves into the real impact of The Dream on basketball and religion. It’s an emotional experience to feel Olajuwon’s development from a young kid from Nigeria into a global icon of dignity and respect for all human beings.

I am because we are.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

No food. Not a drop of water. Hakeem did not let Ramadan interfere with his success on the NBA’s biggest stage. I remember watching and being awed, not only by the Dream Shake but the commitment to his faith.

Hakeem is an incredible person, but this book read his obituary - all roses. It covers his self-discovery, humility, charity work, and then glosses over his arranged marriage to an 18-year-old.

[Ryan C. Zerfas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Mirin Fader is a national treasure. I loved her first book about Giannis. When I heard about this project, all I could think is... perfect!

I'm not sure I trust anyone else more to compile stacks of information and pace it and stuff it with the proper data and information in a fun way. Brilliant!

I want Mirin Fader to write about all my favorite athletes. Giannis was one. Hakeem wasn't, but kind of is now.

Next!?

[Dave Cottenie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Dream” is an interesting sports biography looking at the life and career of Hakeem Olajuwon. What makes it a little different is the approach to look at Olajuwon through the lens of his Muslim faith. A much more spiritual book than expected, it was a welcome change from the normal sports biography formula. The latter chapters did drag a bit as they seemed to be more of a resume than anything else. Well written.