The son of Hakeem Olajuwon plans to play basketball in the same state where his father became famous.
Abdul-Malik Olajuwon committed to SMU in University Park, Texas, he told ESPN on Thursday.
University Park is about a four-hour drive from Houston, where Olajuwon played his college ball and most of his NBA career. Hakeem finished his pro career with the Toronto Raptors in 2001-02.
Abdul-Malik Olajuwon, a six-foot-five guard, helped Canada win the FIBA U18 AmeriCup this summer.
His connection to Canada is through his mother, Canada Basketball has said.
Abdul-Malik was born and raised in Texas.
ESPN ranks him 57th in the class of 2027.
"Their belief in me, and their plan for me with their system, fits me very well," Olajuwon told ESPN when asked about SMU. "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."
SMU qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017 this year, losing to USC as a No. 11 seed in the First Four.
Olajuwon's brother, Aziz, is a freshman at Stanford this season.
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