""Coach Smith and really the whole staff are people who really invest in their players, on and off the court," he said. "Their passion, leadership, and ability to connect with the teams made a huge impression on me. The visit felt like a real day in the life, not just a tour. I got to experience the campus, the people, and the culture in an authentic way, and it just felt right.""
""I chose Stanford because the coaching staff made it clear they are about me not just as an athlete, but as a person," Olajuwon told ESPN. "That meant a lot in the process.""
Aziz Olajuwon committed to Stanford, choosing the program over Cincinnati, Vanderbilt and Houston. Stanford's coaching staff emphasized investment in him as a person and athlete, which Olajuwon prioritized in his decision. Olajuwon becomes the first ESPN 100 recruit for Stanford since Kyle Smith became head coach in March 2024. A 6-foot-7 small forward from Texas who transferred to IMG Academy (Florida), Olajuwon ranks No. 40 in the ESPN 100 for the class of 2026. He averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists across 19 Nike EYBL games and shot nearly 42% from three at the Nike Peach Jam. He had a game with six 3-pointers and 25 points at Peach Jam, and his perimeter shooting development and versatile play as a big wing emphasize floor spacing and all-around contribution.
Read at ESPN.com
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