Aziz Olajuwon, the highly regarded son of NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, has committed to play college basketball at Stanford University, bypassing finalists Houston (his father’s alma mater), Vanderbilt, and Cincinnati.

Standing 6-foot-7 and ranked No. 40 in the ESPN 100 for the 2026 class, Aziz is considered a four-star prospect and one of the most versatile wings in his recruiting class. After transferring from Fort Bend Clements in Sugar Land, Texas, to IMG Academy in Florida, he has drawn national attention for his skill set—averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists over 19 games in the Nike EYBL circuit, with a notable perimeter shooting percentage.

He also played for Canada’s junior national team at the FIBA U19 World Cup, reflecting his international upbringing (he was born in Toronto and his mother is Canadian).

Aziz cited Stanford’s unique combination of elite academics and competitive basketball culture as key reasons for his choice, emphasizing the staff’s commitment to investing in him as a person as well as an athlete.

Coach Kyle Smith and the Cardinal staff made a strong impression with their genuine approach and vision for player development. Aziz’s commitment stands as Stanford’s top basketball recruiting win since Smith’s hire, and he joins four-star guard Isaiah Rogers in a class already making waves among analysts.

As the 10th-highest-rated recruit in Stanford history, Aziz looks forward to making a significant impact on and off the court, signaling bright prospects for both his college career and the future of Stanford basketball.