SMU lands four-star guard Malik Olajuwon, son of NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, giving Andy Enfield a major in-state addition for the 2027 class.
SMU basketball just landed one of the most recognizable names in the 2027 recruiting class.
Four-star shooting guard Malik Olajuwon, the son of Basketball Hall of Famer and Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon, committed to the Mustangs on Thursday.
The 6-4, 185-pound guard chose SMU over Minnesota and also held offers from Texas Tech, TCU, Virginia Tech and Kansas State.
Olajuwon is currently ranked No. 69 nationally and No. 16 among shooting guards in the Rivals Industry Rankings.
He’s also the No. 15 prospect in Texas, giving SMU head coach Andy Enfield an important in-state recruiting victory even though Olajuwon will play his senior season at IMG Academy in Florida.
A Sugar Land native, Olajuwon transferred from Clements High School to IMG this summer after a productive junior season. He averaged 21.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 43 percent from the field.
Olajuwon told Rivals that SMU’s fit on and off the floor ultimately separated the Mustangs.
“I really believe in Coach Enfield and the staff.”
That connection could matter as SMU continues trying to build a roster capable of competing near the top of the ACC.
Olajuwon brings more than a famous last name. He’s regarded as a versatile perimeter player who can create offense, attack the rim and make plays for teammates.
His move to IMG Academy should also give him a chance to sharpen those skills against elite national competition before arriving in Dallas.
There’s also an obvious local angle. Olajuwon grew up in the Houston area, and SMU gives him the opportunity to remain in Texas while playing major-conference basketball.
For Enfield, this is the kind of recruiting win that can resonate beyond one class.
SMU didn’t just land a four-star guard.
The Mustangs landed a Texas prospect with NBA bloodlines, national visibility and the chance to become one of the faces of their 2027 recruiting class.
