Hakeem Olajuwon, perennial All-Star center of the Houston Rockets, will almost certainly represent the United States in the 1996 Olympics, according to Sunday's editions of the Houston Chronicle.
The Chronicle quoted unidentified NBA and international sources as saying an agreement with FIBA, international basketball's governing body, is "98 percent done."Olajuwon would not comment, but he said recently he would jump at the chance.
"It would be a great honor," he said. "Can you imagine, putting on the USA jersey, No. 34? That would be fantastic."
His appearance on the team would culminate months of behind-the-scenes work by Olajuwon, his representatives, NBA executives and others.
The sources said the announcement, which could come as soon as June, would make Olajuwon a shoo-in to be the starting center on the 12-man U.S. team competing in the Olympics in Atlanta.
"They have heard the appeal," one source said. "And the word is that it will be OK if (Olajuwon) is presented as a member of the team. I'd say it's 98 percent done."
Olajuwon would need an exemption from a FIBA rule that prohibits athletes from representing different countries in international competition. Olajuwon played for a junior team from his native Nigeria in the All-Africa Games 15 years ago.
Ralph Green, a representative of Olajuwon, said the appeals process was harrowing.
"We turned things over to the NBA and USA Basketball and they have taken it up with FIBA," Green said. "We've tried to do everything by the letter of the law."
USA Basketball's selection committee will announce the Olympic team after the NBA playoffs are completed.
Olajuwon's Houston Rockets are currently in a battle with in-state rival San Antonio Spurs for the right to advance to the NBA Finals. The Spurs lead the series 2-1. If the Rockets advance, they'll take on the winner of the Orlando Magic-Indiana Pacers series. The NBA Finals should end sometime in June.
The roster is expected to be revealed in July.
"We are hopeful he'll be eligible," said Craig Miller, a spokesman for USA Basketball. "But until FIBA renders an official decision, we have to consider him ineligible."