Hakeem Olajuwon ’s story reads like something out of a movie. A kid from Nigeria who grew up dribbling a soccer ball and playing handball somehow turned those same footwork skills into a Hall of Fame basketball career. By the time he was done in Houston, “Hakeem the Dream” had his name in NBA history with 12 All-Star nods, more than 3,800 blocks, and the rare double feat of topping 3,000 blocks and 2,000 steals. Few players have ever combined grace, power, and intelligence on the court the way he did.

But when the lights dimmed and the rafters echoed with his name one last time—who was standing closest to celebrate the man beyond the legend? That’s where his wife, Dalia Asafi, steps into the story.

Who is Dalia Asafi?

Dalia Asafi, born in 1978 in Nigeria, shares her roots with Hakeem O

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