Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: During Ramadan, Hakeem Olajuwon Used To Play 40+ Minutes Per Game Despite Fasting, And Not Take A Sip Of Water From Dawn To Sunset
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > During Ramadan, Hakeem Olajuwon Used To Play 40+ Minutes Per Game Despite Fasting, And Not Take A Sip Of Water From Dawn To Sunset

During Ramadan, Hakeem Olajuwon Used To Play 40+ Minutes Per Game Despite Fasting, And Not Take A Sip Of Water From Dawn To Sunset

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Apr 4, 2022
5 Min Read
Share

Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the greatest centers to have ever played in the NBA. He modernized and revolutionized the position during his career in the 80s and 90s. Olajuwon became a league MVP and has two championships to show for his incredible career with the Houston Rockets.

Olajuwon was drafted #1 overall by the Rockets in 1984, 2 spots ahead of Michael Jordan. It is impossible to think someone could have been drafted ahead of Jordan and not be looked back at as a bad pick, but Olajuwon gave the Rockets exactly what they needed.

An incredible fact about Olajuwon is that he would compete through the auspicious months of Ramadan. Hakeem is a proud Muslim player and used to fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, but still averaged almost 40 minutes a game during that time. 

Hakeem once explained what drove him to play as well as he used to during the months of Ramadan in an interview in 2020.

“First of all, knowing that it’s not a choice. It’s one of the pillars of Islam and if you’re a practicing Muslim, you can’t say ‘well because in playing, I won’t fast this month’. It’s one of those uncompromising positions. So mentally, you prepare. Then the spiritual aspect of that is that you are doing something spiritual for willpower. It’s to develop willpower. Then you find yourself, whatever you set your mind to, you approach it with that positive mindset, you start seeing the benefits”

Hakeem explained some of the science behind why he played well during Ramadan and said that his body felt so good that he tried continuing the fast even after Ramadan was over, but didn’t have the spiritual willpower to go through that again. 

“Because it’s Ramadan, I’d find I have a lot more energy. You digest all your food, your stomach is feeling lighter, more explosive. To the point, even after Ramadan, I wanted to continue. But you don’t have that same strong willpower again. I tried two more days after Ramadan.”

Olajuwon had a legendary run of games in February 1995 where he won player of the month while fasting. In 15 games that month, Olajuwon averaged 39.7 minutes on the court. In that time, he totaled averages of 29.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.4 blocks. Ramadan started on 1 February and Olajuwon had a monster month that clinched him the trophy.

Some of the most impressive games of Olajuwon’s career came during these fasted months. The one that comes to everyone’s mind is his Jan 1997 outing against the Chicago Bulls, where Olajuwon tallied a monster stat line of 32 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 5 blocks, all in 39 minutes of action. The Rockets left that game as 16-point winners over the reigning champion Bulls. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GALP6wtTbEc

Many modern NBA players practice fasting through the months of Ramadan. Enes Freedom and Olajuwon had actually discussed fasting while in the middle of the season prior, and Enes would follow Hakeem’s advice. Unfortunately, he is without a team this season, so he won’t have to worry about playing and fasting at the same time. 

The best example of a modern NBA player that plays through Ramadan fasts is none other than Kyrie Irving. Irving spoke at length about playing through Ramadan last season.

With Ramadan beginning tomorrow, Kyrie Irving will once again be fasting for the next month.

Ramadan spans the rest of the regular season, the play-in, the first round, and into the beginning of the second round.

— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) April 2, 2022

“But yeah, I am taking part in Ramadan with a lot of my Muslim brothers and sisters. And it’s been an adjustment. That’s really what I can say. It’s just being committed to my service to God, Allah, and then continuing on with whatever I’m guided with. I’m just happy to be part of my community and doing the right things. So, fasting is definitely is definitely part of it — if you know anything about the Muslim community. But yeah, just really blessed and grateful to be taking part of this.”

Religious plurality across the NBA is respected, as no player has ever come out and said they were asked to not fast. Players like Hakeem have proven that it is a non-issue on the performance of the player. It takes incredible willpower to pull this off, and Hakeem did so over the course of multiple Ramadans in his career.  

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Hakeem OlajuwonHouston Rockets Archive
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByIshaan Bhattacharya
Follow:
Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
Previous Article Cavaliers Head Coach Calls Out Joel Embiid And James Harden Continually Getting Free Throws: “We Deserved To Win That Game. That Game Was Taken From Us… You Can’t Defend The Free Throw Line, That’s Absurd.”
Next Article Anthony Davis Says The Los Angeles Lakers Big 3 Haven’t Been Able To Reach Their Full Potential: “It’s Been Tough… We Didn’t Expect To Only Have 21 Games Together.”
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Warriors star Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Stephen Curry Says Jimmy Butler Gives Warriors “Legitimate Shot” At 2026 Title

October 3, 2025
JJ Redick
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Richard Jefferson Reveals Major Flaw In JJ Redick’s Coaching

October 3, 2025
Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Austin Reaves Recalls Luka Doncic’s First Game Back In Dallas After Blockbuster Trade

October 3, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?