I remember when Akeem first showed up on the UH campus. That was his name Akeem. And when he played in games his first season ....he spent much of his time ..hanging around the rim ....to slam dunk missed shots ...and blocking others. But his sophomore year ....he developed his jump shot. He could hit it ....anywhere 12 feet and in. Helped by his summers being tutored by Moses Malone at Fonde Rec Center ...... Hakeem just kept getting better and better ... and the rest as they say .... is basketball history.

Hakeem still spends time here in Houston ....but the past several months he's been living at his home in Jordan. I spoke with him by phone on Wednesday. "It is a great honor .....that's the ultimate for any player. To end up in the Hall of fame is the higheset achievement. I feel so grateful and honored to be selected."

Hakeem ... as you probably already know ....came to Houston ...to play at UH from during the 1981-82, 1982-83, and 1983-84 seasons. He helped the Coogs make it to 3 Final-Fours. "Houston is very special. The city has a special place in my heart. We shared so much together during Phi Slama Jama."

Then of course Hakeem was drafted Number-one by the Rockets ..and he led them to 3 NBA Finals ...and 2 NBA Titles. He says so many great things happened to him during his career .... he can't pick out "just one" favorite event. When I used to talk to Hakeem during his two runs to the NBA Championship .... he would always talk about "the journey." If I asked him after a game ....to comment on either a big win or a frustrating loss ... he would always say,"It's not all about a championship. It's about the journey. We need to stay focused to win a championshipop ...but we also need to remember to enjoy the journey." Well ....I can tell you Hakeem is still enjoying the journey ... and he has nothing but fond memories of city he moved to in the early 80's. "All my development from college.Traveling on the road ....losing the big game ... and going on the road to win it back. The city coming to the airport to greet us. I mean think of my experience. Winning a championship..I mean look at it ..it's unbelievable to look at all the accomplishments of my career. And I have shared that experience of my career with the city of Houston. I think it's something that will go into the history of the city."

Just like Hakeem going into the Hall of Fame will.