Big Brother’s Shadow Looms for Olajuwons

Texas seems to be full of basketball-playing Olajuwons from Nigeria. Everyone knows about Hakeem (the Dream) Olajuwon, one-time soccer goalie, walk-on All American at the University of Houston and star center of the Houston Rockets.

But it should be noted that there are two more Olajuwons having some sort of impact in basketball, although the 6-foot-10 Hakeem remains unchallenged as the tallest branch on the family tree. Taju Olajuwon, 23, is a 6-7 junior center at the University of Texas San Antonio. Afis Olajuwon, 19, is a 6-3 sophomore swingman at Alvin Community College.

Taju transferred after two unhappy years at Indiana State, where he was kept out of action because of NCAA academic restrictions. Afis led his JC team in scoring this season. However, reports are that neither player will make anyone forget about big brother any time soon.

Afis said that during one game, a referee told him, “You’re sure not your brother.”

Add Olajuwons: One of Afis’ teachers told ACC Coach Gary Coffman that Afis was missing classes, so Coffman asked Taju for a suggestion on how to handle the situation.

“Just don’t call Hakeem,” Taju said.

Last add Olajuwons: According to Afis, brother Hakeem has helped him overcome the pressure of following a successful sibling in the same profession. “He knows what I go through being his brother,” Afis said. “He tells me, ‘Don’t put pressure on yourself, just have fun, this is not boxing.’ ”

Trivia time: How many of the 21 NCAA men’s volleyball championships have been won by California universities?

A Lott to lose? From Will McDonough, writing in the Boston Globe about the Raiders’ signing of former 49er Ronnie Lott, a Plan B free agent: “There is real surprise here. The contract Lott signed with the Raiders is not guaranteed. He has to play to earn the money, reportedly $1.8 million over two years . . .

“Reportedly, the Niners had told Lott that if he made 1991 his last season, they would guarantee that he made the team and they would have a big Ronnie Lott Day at the end of the season.”

Huh?: Don King, Mike Tyson’s business partner, does not think that heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is being advised all that well. “He should be living in 1843,” King said. “The way he’s handled is like leading the 13 colonies into submission according to the Pavlovian theory.”

Not in the box score: Working on the sports staff of the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune are Joey Hanson, brother of Seattle’s Erik Hanson; Bob Chick, father of Boston’s top outfield prospect, Bruce Chick, and Greg Gordon, cousin of Wade Boggs.

Trivia answer: 21.

Coming clean: From Minnesota Twin outfielder Kirby Puckett, when asked his goal after retirement: “I guess to run a car wash.”

Community property: Cincinnati Red pitcher Jose Rijo has filed for divorce from his wife. “My wife, she takes half of everything I make,” Rijo said. “I give up six runs and three are charged to her.”

Quotebook: Detroit Tiger Manager Sparky Anderson, on rookie pitcher Rusty Meacham: “What I like about him is that he’s scared, but he’s not afraid.”