NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon has met with Victor Wembanyama, with the French phenomenon keen to learn from the former champion.
Hakeem Olajuwon is NBA royalty, leading the Houston Rockets to back to back championships in 1994 and 1995.
There was real anger in the Houston community, when Olajuwon was recently denied access to the Cougars celebration amid a security mix-up.
Olajuwon retains a presence in the state and in the past he has run training sessions with some of the NBA’s top stars, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and upcoming Hall of Famer Dwight Howard.
Now another elite level NBA star wants Hakeem Olajuwon’s help.
San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and went on to win rookie of the year.
Wembanyama was enjoying an excellent second season, increasing his points per game from 21.3 to 24.3, before he was shut down due to a health issue.
Now as he plots his return for 2025-26, Victor Wembanyama has met up with Hakeem Olajuwon.
A video was posted online by KPRC2 anchor Ari Alexander, detailing the recent meeting between two players.
Olajuwon was asked about his meeting with Wembanyama, and responded that the Frenchman left a good impression, and also gave a positive health update: “He’s approachable, very humble.
“I was very very impressed the way he carried himself. He was just talking about his blood clot, now he’s ready. It was very nice interaction.”
Hakeem Olajuwon was famed for his fleet footwork, and that is an element where Victor Wembanyam could further improve his game.
Ari Alexander asked Olajuwon, ‘is he the next guy to get in your gym?’, and the NBA legend appeared to politely decline.
He responded: “He asked about that by the way, I told him, ‘you got everything already… just have fun out there’.”
“He has everything, and more,” The Dream added.
Houston Rockets fans may enjoy the response, with the team legend appearing to reject the chance to help out a star player on rivals the San Antonio Spurs.
But it appears Victor Wembanyama was not keen to take ‘no’ for answer.
Olajuwon explained: “I said ‘you don’t need it’, he said, ‘well I’d love to learn anyway’.”
Watch this space to see if Victor Wembanyama and Hakeem Olajuwon link up for a training session or two in the off-season.
The NBA has been warned.
