Hakeem The Dream: The Nigerian Who Taught America’s Basketball Stars How to Post Up

Nigerian basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon has revealed how some of the greatest players in NBA history, including the late Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama, approached him for guidance to improve their skills.

The Hakeem Olajuwon mentorship revelation was made in an interview with CNN correspondent Larry Madowo, aired on November 9, 2026, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE REVELATION

Asked about his work with notable players, the former Houston Rockets centre said he did not initially plan to become a mentor but that the players approached him. “I didn’t plan that, they reached out to me. From LeBron, Kobe, Wembanyama, Giannis,” he said.

He identified Bryant as the player who initiated the relationship. “Kobe started it. Kobe called me up in the summer time,” Olajuwon said.

Recalling his initial reaction to Bryant’s request, the Nigerian-born Hall of Famer said he was surprised that a player of the American’s calibre wanted to learn from him. “They wanted to come down and work out with me. I said they was kidding. I said, because I said, Kobe, you got everything. You are Kobe. Right,” he recounted.

He said Bryant, however, insisted that he wanted to learn Olajuwon’s moves.

THE SESSIONS

Olajuwon also discussed his work with Wembanyama, the French San Antonio Spurs centre, explaining that their sessions focused on maximising the advantages of his height and technical ability.

“First of all, you know, you look at how to leverage it. You have the height advantage, you have the skill. How do you leverage it to the max?” he said.

He also spoke about working with Antetokounmpo, the Greek-Nigerian Milwaukee Bucks forward, particularly on improving his finishing ability. “I enjoy working with this guy’s skill, how to finish, how to create space and dunk,” he said .

He explained that his sessions with the players were no longer about teaching basic basketball techniques but helping them identify and exploit scoring opportunities.

“So we’re not talking about basics now. We just talking about how to create opportunities. And these guys are so athletic when they get that, they get any space, bam,” he added .

WHY IT MATTERS

Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His footwork, his “Dream Shake,” and his defensive instincts are the stuff of legend.

But his legacy is not just in the records he set. It is in the players he taught. Kobe Bryant. LeBron James. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Victor Wembanyama.

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The greatest players of their generations, seeking out the Nigerian master to learn what he knew.

Olajuwon did not seek them out. They came to him. And he taught them. That is the mark of a true legend: not just what you achieve, but what you pass on. ValidViewNetwork reports.