Aziz Olajuwon, son of Hakeem, commits Stanford

Aziz Olajuwon, a recruit between 40 and the son of the NBA Hall of Fame, Hakeem Olajuwon, has committed to Stanford, told ESPN on Saturday.

Olajuwon recently cut his list to four schools: Stanford, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt and Houston, his father's alma mater. He visited Cincinnati and Vanderbilt in recent weeks after making a trip to Stanford during the summer.

“I chose Stanford because the coaching staff made it clear that they are about me not only as a athlete, but as a person,” Olajuwon told ESPN. “That meant a lot in the process.”

Olajuwon becomes the first recruit of ESPN 100 for Stanford since coach Kyle Smith took office in March 2024.

“The coach Smith and all the staff are really people who really invest in their players, on and off the court,” said Olajuwon. “His passion, leadership and ability to connect with the teams caused me a great impression.

“The visit was felt as a real day in life, not only on a tour. I could experience campus, people and culture in an authentic way, and felt good.”

Olajuwon, a small 6 -foot and 7 -inch striker of Texas who recently transferred to IMG Academy (Florida), the number 40 was classified in the ESPN 100 for the 2026 class. 19 games. Olajuwon showed a flourishing perimeter shot as the season advanced, shooting almost 42% from behind the arch in the Nike Peach Jam in July, including a game in which he made six triples and ended with 25 points.

Olajuwon, a great wing that constantly plays in a triple threat posture, was one of the most improved and effective players during the summer. His ability to read the defense, the score, the passage and the impulse was evident, and has demonstrated the ability to defend both the wing and the ball with length.

Olajuwon is the second commitment for Smith and Stanford in Class 2026, joining the four -star guard Isaiah Rogers.