BIRMINGHAM, England -- Born in Lagos, Hakeem Olajuwon blazed a trail when he made the journey from Nigeria to the United States, transforming himself from an unpolished raw talent to a shining superstar in the NBA.
The Basketball Hall of Famer, now age 54, has seen countless others follow in his path from Africa since he became the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets in 1984 following a stellar collegiate career at the University of Houston.
Olajuwon sat down with ESPN.com during the youth camp he oversees for the City of Birmingham Basketball Club to discuss African basketball, past and present.