Aziz Olajuwon commits to Stanford, bolstering Cardinal's 2026 class

Aziz Olajuwon, the son of Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, announced Saturday that he will play college basketball for Stanford, giving the Cardinal a top-40 prospect in the Class of 2026.

The 6-foot-7 forward is ranked No. 40 on ESPN’s top 100 for 2026 and recently transferred to IMG Academy for his senior season. Olajuwon also considered Cincinnati, Vanderbilt and Houston, the latter being his father’s alma mater, among others on his recruiting list. Through 19 EYBL games this past summer, he averaged 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds, while knocking down 41.1 percent of his 3-point attempts.

“I chose Stanford because it’s a perfect balance of elite academics and high-level basketball,” Olajuwon told The Athletic. “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.” He added that the visit felt authentic and that he could envision himself thriving in the campus environment and the program’s culture. Olajuwon is Stanford head coach Kyle Smith’s highest-rated recruiting get since taking over the program after the 2023-24 season. He is also now the 10th-highest-rated commitment in Stanford’s history.

“Get ready, we’re building something special,” Olajuwon said about the program’s fan base and its direction. “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.”

Stanford’s leadership views Olajuwon as a versatile wing with length and shooting ability who fits the modern college game. The commitment underscores the Cardinal’s continued emphasis on adding skilled players who can contribute on and off the court as the program aims to climb in the Pac-12 and beyond.

As Olajuwon transitions to college basketball, he will join a Stanford roster looking to build around players with size, experience and the ability to stretch the floor. The recruitment adds another high-profile name to a class that Stamford officials hope will help sustain success in a competitive landscape for the next few years.