Two-time
NBA Champion and Basketball Hall-of-Famer Hakeem
Olajuwon was today named NBA Ambassador to Africa and will play a
prominent role in the development of basketball on the continent.
Olajuwon
will work closely with the NBA Africa office, which is located in
Johannesburg and led by Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA Vice President for
Development in Africa. The Nigerian native will represent the NBA
through a range of basketball development events and NBA Cares
activities across the region to help grow the game, give back to
communities in need, and bring attention to diplomacy through sport.
“Basketball
has given me so much in life,” said Olajuwon. “In this new role I
am looking forward to impacting young Africans and utilizing the
power of sport to help change lives in what is an exciting new
chapter in my career.”
“We
are elated that one of the greatest to ever play the game, a son of
Africa, and a legend of Hakeem’s stature will officially represent
the NBA in Africa,” said Amadou Gallo Fall. “He truly embodies
the values of the game, and will be a great ambassador for the league
and a perfect role model for Africa’s youth.”
Olajuwon
recently participated in the launch of “Power Forward,” the
ExxonMobil, NBA and Africare’s development program launched in
Abuja, Nigeria last November. Prior to that he visited South Africa
last August and attended the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day
celebrations at the International Convention Centre and the FNB
Stadium in Johannesburg.
Born
in Lagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon was selected with the number one pick in
the 1984 NBA Draft, becoming the first African player selected first
overall. His playing highlights include: 12-time NBA All-Star,
two-time NBA Champion (1994, ‘95), NBA Most Valuable Player (’94),
and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (’93, ’94). He is
the only player in league history to be named MVP, Finals MVP, and
Defensive Player of the Year in the same season (1993-94).
The
NBA has a long history in Africa with more than 30 players from the
continent playing in the league since 1984. Basketball without
Borders Africa has been held 11 times on the continent and the league
opened its African office in Johannesburg in 2010.
Since
2003, the NBA has worked with community-based organizations to create
38 places to live, learn or play in Africa, including youth hostels,
kitchens, sports complexes, health facilities, Habitat for Humanity
homes, and basketball courts in Angola, Botswana, Nigeria, Senegal,
Kenya, Cameroon, South Sudan, and South Africa.
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