Hakeem Olajuwon named NBA ambassador to Africa

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.

"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."

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).