Son of NBA legend Olajuwon commits to SMU's class of '27

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  Jeff BorzelloOct 1, 2026, 03:17 PM ET

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  • Basketball recruiting insider.
  • Joined ESPN in 2014.
  • Graduate of University of Delaware.

Abdul-Malik Olajuwon, a top-60 recruit and the son of NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, has committed to SMU, he told ESPN on Thursday.

Olajuwon visited the Mustangs' campus last weekend, one week after taking a trip to Minnesota.

"Their belief in me, and their plan for me with their system, fits me very well," Olajuwon told ESPN. "They play to win, and that's my style. Coach [Andy] Enfield sees me making an impact as a freshman, playing point guard and helping on the defensive end."

Olajuwon's official visit to SMU sealed the decision. He was accompanied by his father and was able to further develop his relationship with Enfield, while also getting to see the Mustangs' win over Missouri State in football - where he saw first-hand the energy of the fanbase.

"Coach Enfield is a laid-back guy, but he's intense," said Olajuwon, a Texas native who plays at IMG Academy (Florida). "He's not a yeller or a screamer, but he gets his point across. When he talks, the gym becomes silent. Everyone listens to him and respects him.

"My dad was with me on the visit and feels that this is a great decision for me. I also leaned on my older brother, who's been through the process and told me not to think only about basketball, but to think long-term."

Olajuwon is a 6-foot-5 guard who is ranked No. 57 in the SC Next 100 for the class of 2027. He was a key contributor for JL3 on the Nike EYBL circuit this past spring and summer, averaging 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists over the course of 20 games. According to basketball analytics service Cerebro, Olajuwon shot 40.7% from 3 during the final EYBL session in Las Vegas.

He plays an efficient game. His ability to read the defense and become a playmaker or shotmaker is one of his strengths, and he demonstrates strong feel for making the simple play with the ball and spacing the floor without the ball.

Due to his size and 6-foot-11 wingspan, Olajuwon has the tools to become a disruptive defender. His length lets him jump passing lanes, create deflections and blocks and rebound effectively from the guard position, which should allow him to be a versatile defender at the next level. The next step in his development will be adding strength to his frame, enabling him to absorb contact on drives and finish through defenders more effectively.

Olajuwon is the first commitment for SMU in the 2027 class.

His father, Hakeem, was a 12-time NBA All-Star and one of the best centers in the history of basketball, winning two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets. He won college Player of the Year in 1983 at the University of Houston and NBA MVP in 1994 with the Rockets. Abdul-Malik's brother, Aziz, will be a freshman at Stanford this season and was a top-100 prospect in the 2026 class.