Hakeem Olajuwon’s NBA Legacy Encourages Houston Rockets’ New Rookie

Nigerian retired basketball star, Hakeem ‘The Dream’ Olajuwon is at the centre of encomiums coming from a new rookie at his former club, Houston Rockets of America, as fast-rising youngster, Alperen Sengun is singing praises for the legend.

Megasportsarena.com reports that Sengun is happy with the opportunity to take some training tips from the hero of USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA), who won gold with the American squad at two editions of the Olympic Games.

The moment of glee for Sengun, who The Rockets took at No. 16 overall in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft, started on home turf in Houston, Texas and he declared after Monday’s home practice at Toyota Center that he is learning the ropes from ‘The Dream.’

Sengun, who started Sunday’s game due to Eric Gordon’s injury absence, could have another chance to start on Tuesday in New Orleans.

As of Monday, Gordon remained sidelined by his left heel injury, thereby laying open space for the Turkish big man, who is averaging 8.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 18.4 minutes per game.

The 19-year-old Sengun showered more accolades on the Hall of Fame star, former MVP, and two-time NBA champion, while also reeling out the amazing technical delights he recalled seeing Olajuwon exhibit during his heyday.

Sengun disclosed: “He was legend on that topic. He was unstoppable because he can shoot, and he was driving, and he has spin moves.

“That’s why he was unstoppable. I also believe that I will be unstoppable if I start to play like him, start to shoot like him, if I can play on the inside and outside.

“He taught me the post-up moves, and he taught me the spin moves. I use spin moves a lot in the game, but he told me how I can improve it, how I can do it better.

“He told me I need to keep working on it and improve it. I started to work on the moves that he showed me in the practice. I’m trying those moves in the practice and also in the game.

“When I receive the ball, I am keeping all that he told me in that practice. I’m thinking about those moves in the game, in those positions.”