Home/NBA
Home/NBA
feature-image

via Imago

feature-image

via Imago

Hakeem Olajuwon and Dalia Asafi’s journey together is far from the typical love story—but it’s one that has stood the test of time. Married in 1996 through a family-arranged union rooted in their shared faith, the couple has spent over three decades building a life centered on love, faith, and family. Together, they’ve raised a close-knit family with four children—two sons, Abdullah and Abdul (also called Aziz), and two daughters, Rahmah and Aisha—alongside Hakeem’s eldest, Abisola, from a previous relationship.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

Let’s take a closer look at the lives of each of their children and see how Hakeem and Dalia’s legacy is shaping the next generation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Abdullah Olajuwon

Abdullah Olajuwon’s journey to carving his own path in basketball has been steady but impressive. Born in England, both he and his younger brother first had a love for soccer, but once the family moved back to the U.S., hoops became the focus. Abdullah prepped at Fort Bend Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, where he made waves as an All-District First Team senior, averaging 25 points per game while shooting 48% from the field and an impressive 90% from the line. From there, he stepped into college hoops, first joining UMKC’s roster, though he didn’t see action, and then moving to Detroit Mercy, where he steadily built his game, contributing across points, rebounds, steals, and blocks in multiple contests.

Abdullah’s hard work and dedication recently earned him a spot alongside his younger brother on Jordan’s FIBA Asia Cup 2025 lineup. “It’s a blessing,” he said, reflecting on representing the land where they were born. He added, “I’ve been wanting to do this since like, ’23. So, yeah, it’s been a couple of years. I’ve been waiting.” From high school standout and now stepping onto the international stage, Abdullah is clearly determined to make his mark while carrying forward the Olajuwon legacy in basketball.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Abdul Olajuwon

Abdul-Aziz Olajuwon, 18, is making big waves even before stepping onto a college court. He recently committed to Stanford, narrowing his choices from Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, and Houston, his dad’s alma mater. “I chose Stanford because the coaching staff made it clear they are about me not just as an athlete, but as a person,” Aziz told ESPN. A 6-foot-7 small forward from Texas, now at IMG Academy in Florida, he becomes the first ESPN 100 recruit for Stanford since coach Kyle Smith took over in March 2024.

Aziz’s game speaks for itself. On the Nike EYBL circuit with JL3, he averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists over 19 games, showing a developing perimeter shot, hitting nearly 42% from deep at the Nike Peach Jam. He went viral back in June during the NBPA Top 100 Camp, dropping 29 points in Game 1 and following it with 20 more in Game 2—proof that his scoring isn’t a one-off. Clearly, Aziz isn’t just riding his father’s legacy; he’s carving his own path, and Stanford will be the next stage for him to shine.

What’s your perspective on:

Is Abdullah Olajuwon the next big thing in basketball, or just living in his dad's shadow?

Have an interesting take?

Rahman Olajuwon

Very little is known publicly. She is one of Hakeem and Dalia’s daughters and keeps a private life. There are no verified details about her age, education, or professional pursuits. She appears to live largely out of the public eye, following the family’s preference for privacy.

Aisha Olajuwon

Similarly, information about Aisha is extremely limited. She is the younger daughter of Hakeem and Dalia, and like her sister, maintains a low profile. There are no public records of her schooling, career, or personal life.

Abisola Olajuwon

Abi Olajuwon, Hakeem’s eldest daughter and child with his college sweetheart Lita Spencer, has carved her own impressive path in basketball. Born on July 6, 1988, Abi grew up under her dad’s competitive eye—he never let her win one-on-one games, teaching her coordination and footwork along the way. A Los Angeles native, she shined at The Marlborough School, winning three state championships and earning McDonald’s All-American honors in 2006, along with WBCA and USA Today All-American nods.

She played at Oklahoma, helping her team reach the Women’s Final Four in 2009 and 2010, winning Big 12 Championships, and as a senior, averaging 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. In 2010, she was drafted in the third round by the Chicago Sky, later playing for Tulsa Shock and overseas clubs in Hungary, Romania, Israel, Croatia, France, Brazil, China, and Spain.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Today, at 37, Abi has shifted her energy to coaching, bringing her on-court experience to the sidelines. She started at Cal State Fullerton as an assistant coach for two seasons and now serves as an assistant for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA and, as of April 2025, was also named assistant coach for Sun Devil Women’s Basketball. Her journey from competitive kid practicing with her dad to professional player and now coach shows how the Olajuwon legacy continues strong, and she’s proof that basketball talent runs deep in the family.

Hakeem Olajuwon and Dalia Asafi have built a remarkable family, raising children who honor their heritage while pursuing their own paths. From basketball courts to coaching and college commitments, the Olajuwon legacy continues strong. Their story is a blend of tradition, talent, and family values.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Is Abdullah Olajuwon the next big thing in basketball, or just living in his dad's shadow?"

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT