Number: 34 Position: Center Height: 7-0 Weight: 270 College: Univ. of Pacific '98 The Word From "The Voice": Ralph Lawler on Michael Olowokandi: The knee is OK now and he's about to be one of the game's most dominant big men. He's a top 5 center right now and on the rise.

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2002 STATS

TEAM	GMS	PTS	REB	AST	FG%	FT%	3PT%	BLK	STL
LAC	80	11.1	8.9	1.1	.433	.622	.000	1.81	.69

CAREER STATS

YRS	GMS	PTS	REB	AST	FG%	FT%	3PT%	BLK	STL
4	287	9.7	7.8	.7	.434	.587	.000	1.56	.51

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VIDEO

Olowokandi gets the ball in the post against Minnesota, spins into the lane, and throws down the one-hand jam.(11/28/01) avi | mov

Clippers center Michael Olowokandi is a player on the rise. After a breakout season last year, "The Kandiman" is working to show the rest of the league why many are tabbing him among the top five centers in the NBA this season. With career-best averages in points, rebounds, assists, and blocked shots in 2001-02, his rapid improvement and low post presence caused NBA.com to list him among the top 10 players who could become first time all-stars in 2002-03.

Despite nagging injuries that have kept Olowokandi sidelined during the preseason, its a safe bet that the Clippers' big man will continue his meteoric ascent. With the additions of Andre Miller and Marko Jaric---along with the return of Keyon Dooling---Olowokandi will benefit from their slashing drives and court vision. "Guys are cutting to the basket more because they know these guys will find them," said Michael recently. "I've never seen point guards compete over who is going to make the nicest pass."

Look for Olowokandi's soft jump hook to convert many of those passes into points this season.

--Clippers.com