Hakeem Olajuwon

Before ?Radio Killa!? echoed hourly on top 40 stations, another man was known as The Dream. Hakeem ?The Dream? Olajuwon made a name for himself as an athletic big man that possessed power and finesse. Hailing from Nigeria, Olajuwon transferred his skills from homeland pastime handball to the hardwood at the University of Houston. After leading ?Phi Slamma Jamma? to consecutive championship game berths he was selected by the Houston Rockets with the first overall pick. His decorated term with Rockets included 2 NBA Championships, an MVP award, 12 All-Star game appearances, and 2 Defensive Player of the Year Awards. The Dream ended his career with the Toronto Raptors but is most known for his time in Houston.

The Dream wore hi-top Etonic sneakers in his early days in Houston, but is most known for his endorsement deal with Spalding. Olajuwon teamed up with Spalding to release a lower priced sneaker that would be accessible and affordable for people of all walks of life. “How can a poor working mother with three boys buy Nikes or Reeboks that cost $120?” he asked. “She can’t. So kids steal these shoes from stores and from other kids. Sometimes they kill for them.? His sneakers were mostly white mid tops baring the Rockets color scheme. His most famous Spalding release was a shoe that donned his number ?34? in bold print across resembling the Nike Air More Uptempo. Olajuwon?s humble background and strong faith made him a trendsetter by being the first major NBA player to release an economy priced shoe.