Olajuwon’s Son Shines for Jordan in Asia Cup Debut

Second-generation talent makes immediate impact, embracing legacy

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Carrying a storied basketball surname presents its own unique pressures, but Abdullah Olajuwon views it as a distinct advantage.

Making His Mark

The 21-year-old combo guard recently debuted for Jordan’s FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign, following his brother, Abdul Rahman Olajuwon, onto the international stage. Their older sibling, Aziz Olajuwon, previously represented Canada at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, marking a growing family tradition in international basketball.

Abdullah Olajuwon delivered an impressive performance in Jordan’s opening overtime victory against India, contributing 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench. He proved instrumental in the crucial fourth quarter, netting key baskets to secure Jordan’s 91-84 win.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since like, ’23. So, yeah, it’s been a couple of years. I’ve been waiting.”

—Abdullah Olajuwon

Abdullah Olajuwon expressed his gratitude to head coach Roy Rana for making his national team debut possible.

Building for the Future

Coach Rana lauded Olajuwon‘s immediate impact, recognizing the young player as a vital component for the team’s development. The Canadian tactician, who took over the helm in June, has been focused on integrating younger talent from the U19 program.

“I thought he was really good as a 21-year-old, I thought he gave us some great minutes. It’s exciting. I think Jordanians should be excited about the future of this program. But we have a lot of work to do.”

—Roy Rana, Head Coach, Jordan National Team

The inclusion of the Olajuwon brothers is part of Rana‘s strategy to cultivate Jordan’s emerging talent, aiming for long-term success in Asian basketball. In 2023, the average age of players in the FIBA Basketball World Cup was approximately 25 years old, highlighting Olajuwon‘s youth relative to seasoned international competitors.

Abdullah Olajuwon is optimistic about the team’s trajectory, emphasizing a shared journey of growth and development.

“We’re learning together, and hopefully we grow together. So at some point, we’ll be a solid group. We’re just hoping for that and building from the start. Really excited… I’m really excited to see how we compete.”

—Abdullah Olajuwon