(Photo credit: Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Aziz Olajuwon, a four-star recruit who is the son of legendary Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, announced Saturday that he has committed to Stanford.

That rates as a bit of a stunner since one of the other finalists was Houston, where his famous dad was a star in the 1980s Phi Slama Jama era before going on to star in the NBA.

But Aziz Olajuwon, a 6-foot-7 forward, called Stanford the best place for him in interviews with at least three outlets on Saturday.

'I chose Stanford because it's a perfect balance of elite academics and high-level basketball,' Olajuwon said. 'It's a place that will challenge me on the court and in the classroom, while also preparing me for life beyond basketball. The culture and tradition at Stanford really stood out to me.'Cincinnati and Vanderbilt were Olajuwon's other finalists.

Olajuwon, a top-40 recruit, represents Stanford's biggest score on the player front since Kyle Smith became coach following the 2023-24 season.

'Coach Smith and really the whole staff are people who really invest in their players, on and off the court,' Olajuwon said. 'Their passion, leadership and ability to connect with the teams made a huge impression on me.'

Stanford went 21-14 in Smith's first season but missed the NCAA Tournament for the 11th straight year.

Olajuwon is predicting a change in fortunes.

'Get ready, we're building something special,' Olajuwon said. 'I can't wait to put on the Stanford jersey, compete at the highest level, and give everything I have for the program and the fans. The future is bright, and I'm excited to be a part of it.'

Hakeem Olajuwon played in the NCAA Tournament championship game in both 1983 and 1984 with the Cougars falling both times -- the first time on a famous last-second basket by North Carolina State.

In the NBA, he won the 1994 and 1995 NBA titles with the Houston Rockets and was league MVP for the 1993-94 season. Hakeem Olajuwon was a 12-time All-Star during an 18-year career that ended in 2002.

Hakeem Olajuwon is the all-time leader in NBA history with 3,830 career blocked shots. He ranks 14th in both career points (26,946) and career rebounds (13,748). Olajuwon's 2,192 steals rank 10th.

--Field Level Media