Rockets name Hakeem Olajuwon as 2021 draft lottery representative

Olajuwon was Houston’s No. 1 overall pick in 1984 and went on to become one of the most successful top selections in NBA history.

In a draft lottery with enormous stakes, the Houston Rockets will have the greatest player in franchise history as a potential good-luck charm.

According to a team announcement, Olajuwon will represent Houston at the scene of the NBA’s June 22 draft lottery. The stakes are huge for the Rockets, who will learn that day whether their top first-round pick is in the draft’s top four (a 52.1% chance) or at No. 18 overall (47.9%), courtesy of a top-four-protected pick swap owned by Oklahoma City.

A Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion, Olajuwon is a clear symbol of the value of a high draft pick. As the No. 1 selection by Houston in 1984, “The Dream” remains far and away the best draft choice in franchise history and one of the top No. 1 picks by any team in any NBA draft.

Olajuwon’s arrival put the Rockets on a path toward building a frequent title contender, and that’s what Houston hopes to repeat in the 2020s if they can secure the necessary draft pick to acquire a top rookie prospect such as Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs or Jalen Green.

With Olajuwon in attendance, ESPN will televise the results of the NBA’s 2021 draft lottery on Tuesday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m. Central.

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