HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets are having a hard time realizing that the Hakeem Olajuwon era is over.
After spending his entire college and pro career within the city limits, Olajuwon told the Rockets on Wednesday he no longer wants to play for them. The Rockets agreed to sign and trade him to the Toronto Raptors for two draft choices.
To coach Rudy Tomjanovich, it was almost like ripping the team logo from the floor of Compaq Arena, where Olajuwon led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994-95.
"Of course, this is a very emotional time for us," Tomjanovich said. "I don't have the words to describe it. It's an empty feeling, but I have to accept it and the team has to accept it."
Rockets owner Les Alexander agreed to sign and trade Olajuwon to the Raptors.
"Hakeem's decision is disappointing for the entire Rockets organization," Alexander told Houston television station KRIV. "Hakeem Olajuwon has meant more to this franchise and this city than any other athlete in Houston history.
"We desperately wanted to keep him in a Rockets uniform for the remainder of his career and made every attempt to do so. It is with a heavy heart that we have agreed to his request."
Olajuwon arrived from his native Nigeria as a skinny 17-year-old player on the campus at the University of Houston. He led the Cougars to three NCAA Final Four appearances. The Cougars were 88-16 in Olajuwon's three seasons.
"I know that I and all of Houston is disappointed to see him leave, but at the same time, I have and we all have such great memories," said Guy Lewis, Olajuwon's college coach. "I just wish him well."
He was the Rockets' first-round pick in 1984 and went on to lead the Rockets to two NBA titles.
Olajuwon kept saying he wanted to see a commitment from the Rockets that they wanted to keep him. The Rockets showed him a three-year guaranteed contract worth more than $13 million.
He turned it down.
Olajuwon did not return telephone calls from the Associated Press.
"When I talked to Dream, we had a positive conversation," Tomjanovich said. "Dream is a champion and he has come up with a situation where he feels he can go for another ring."