HAKEEM OLAJUWON’S SON AZIZ COMMITS TO STANFORD, BLAZING HIS OWN PATH

By: Gyang Dakwo

Aziz Olajuwon, the son of Hall of Fame legend Hakeem Olajuwon, has decided to play college basketball at Stanford University. He made the announcement on Saturday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, and he chose the Cardinal over Houston, Vanderbilt, and Cincinnati.

The 6-foot 7 forward is a four-star recruit from IMG Academy in Florida, and he is ranked number 40 in the country by ESPN and number 61 by 247 Sports. His commitment gives Stanford one of the most notable names in the 2026 recruiting class, and the program appealed to him by showing the importance of both academics and player development.

Aziz was born in 2006, and his path in basketball has been unique. He spent part of his childhood in Jordan and England before he moved to the United States in 2021. He started out at Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, where he averaged 19.6 points and 9 rebounds, and he later transferred to IMG Academy, where he played against stronger competition and improved his overall game.

In the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, he averaged 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds, and he also represented Canada, his mother’s country, at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Those experiences gave him international exposure and helped shape him into one of the most versatile young wings in the nation.

Scouts describe Aziz as a defender who can guard on the perimeter, and they also highlight his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting. They point to his rebounding and his defensive versatility as reasons he drew interest from several top programs.

Although many big schools tried to sign him, Aziz said Stanford’s attention to academics and personal growth made the difference. He added that the coaches showed genuine care for him both as a player and as a person.

His father, Hakeem Olajuwon, is celebrated as one of the most skilled centers in NBA history, and he won two championships with the Houston Rockets. Aziz is choosing his own route, and his decision to join Stanford puts him in a place where education and basketball are held in equal regard.