1986-87 Fleer #82 Akeem Olajuwon
Hall of Fame rookie. The card prints "AKEEM OLAJUWON"; he restored the "H" (Hakeem) around 1991. The Dream - 1994 MVP and back-to-back champion.
About Akeem Olajuwon
A 7-foot center born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olajuwon came to the University of Houston and was taken first overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA draft, ahead of Michael Jordan. Over 18 seasons (Rockets 1984-2001, Toronto Raptors 2001-02) he became a 12-time All-Star and 12-time All-NBA pick who led Houston to back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995, winning Finals MVP both years. He was named league MVP in 1994 and Defensive Player of the Year twice (1993 and 1994) - and in 1994 he became the only player in NBA history to capture MVP, the championship, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. He retired as the NBA's all-time leader in blocked shots (3,830). Nicknamed "The Dream" for how effortlessly he dunked, he restored the "H" in his first name on March 9, 1991, calling it a correction rather than a change - which is why his rookie card here reads "AKEEM OLAJUWON." He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Akeem Olajuwon is card #82 in Fleer's landmark 'Premier' issue - the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps and, for many collectors, the start of the modern era of basketball cards. Because of the multi-year gap, it is the recognized Rookie Card for Akeem Olajuwon. He is pictured with the Houston Rockets.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 12,844 | 349 | 2,840 | 5,561 | 2,280 | 1,807 | 7 |
| SGC | 1,720 | 10 | 162 | 652 | 484 | 359 | 53 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1986-87 Fleer Akeem Olajuwon card?
It is card #82 of 132 in the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball set - Fleer's 'Premier' issue and the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps. It pictures the Houston Rockets Akeem Olajuwon, and is his recognized rookie card.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Akeem Olajuwon his rookie card?
Yes - the hobby treats 1986-87 Fleer as the Rookie Card for any player whose first nationally-distributed (pack-issued) card it is. Akeem Olajuwon had no Topps card before the set, so this is his recognized RC. (Limited-distribution Star Company cards from 1983-86 are classed as Extended Rookie Cards.)
How do I spot a fake Akeem Olajuwon 1986-87 Fleer card?
1986-87 Fleer is the most counterfeited basketball set. Genuine cards are crisp and dark with an intact micro-dot print pattern; fakes look fuzzy or flat. Check the Fleer 'Premier' logo (the arrow is a darker gold than the yellow box) and, on the back, the NBA Players Association basketball, whose seam lines are visible on a real card and filled solid on a fake. For high-value copies, buy professionally graded (PSA/BGS/SGC) and verify the cert.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Akeem Olajuwon valuable?
Value depends heavily on grade and centering. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Basketball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-10-05.