(Toronto, August 2, 2001) --- The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have acquired centre Hakeem Olajuwon, selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, from the Houston Rockets in a sign and trade deal. In exchange, the Raptors have sent their 2002 first-round draft pick, which is lottery protected, and a 2002 second-round draft choice, acquired from Detroit in the Zeljko Rebraca trade, to the Rockets. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not announced.

"We are excited to add a player and person the caliber of Hakeem to our organization," said Glen Grunwald, senior vice-president and general manager of the Raptors. "His on-court success speaks volumes about the type of player he is and what he can add to our team. With his ability to score, rebound and block shots, he will provide us with a low-post presence both offensively and defensively.

Olajuwon, a certain Hall of Famer, spent his first 17 years with the Rockets. Credit: AP Photos

"He is a proven winner with solid leadership skills. We are confident he will be a valuable asset to our team, not only for his individual abilities, but also because he's the type of player who makes his teammates better."

Olajuwon, 38, averaged 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and a team-leading 1.52 blocks in 58 games last season. He scored a season-high 27 points March 3 at Dallas and posted Houston season highs with 20 rebounds February 13 versus Washington and seven blocks February 8 at Detroit. He totaled double figures in scoring 39 times and rebounding 14 times. He also compiled 13 double-doubles and paced the Rockets in scoring on six occasions and rebounds 19 times. He scored his 26,000th career point December 8 versus Sacramento and grabbed his 13,000th career carom November 14 versus Chicago.

The 12-time all-star had spent his entire 17-year career with the Rockets. He owns a career average of 22.5 points and 11.4 rebounds in 1,177 games. His 26,511 points is second only to Utah's Karl Malone among active players and his 13,382 rebounds leads all active players. Olajuwon ranks ninth in scoring and 10th in rebounds all-time in NBA history. He is the top shotblocker in NBA annals with 3,740 and ranks sixth all-time in steals with 2,088. He is the only player in NBA history to rank in the top 10 in points, rebounds, steals and blocks.

In 14 playoff seasons, Olajuwon has averaged 26.6 points and 11.4 rebounds in 140 career games. He was the NBA Finals MVP in 1994 and 1995, leading the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships. He ranks seventh in total points in NBA postseason history (3,727), second among active players. He is second in NBA playoff history in blocks (468), fourth in field goals made (1,492), sixth in scoring average (26.6) and 10th in rebounds (1,602).

Olajuwon was selected as the NBA MVP for 1994. In that season, he became the only player in NBA history to win the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP in the same year. He is a six-time All-NBA First Team selection (1987-89, 1993-94, 1997) and a five-time All-NBA Defensive Team choice (1987-88, 1990, 1993-94). The 7-0, 255-pound native of Lagos, Nigeria was a member of the gold medal winning 1996 United States Olympic Team coached by current Raptors head coach Lenny Wilkens.

Olajuwon was the first pick overall in the 1984 NBA Draft. In his three seasons at the University of Houston, he led the Cougars to an 88-16 mark and three straight NCAA Final Four appearances. He averaged 13.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.5 blocks in 100 games. He was selected Southwest Conference Player of the Decade (1980s) by a panel of media and coaches.

###