Hasheem Thabeet
Encyclopedia
Hasheem Thabeet is a Tanzanian professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Houston Rockets
of the NBA. He was drafted as the 2nd pick overall by the Memphis Grizzlies
in the 2009 NBA Draft
after playing with the Connecticut Huskies
. At 7 in 3 in (2.21 m) and 263 lbs, Thabeet was the tallest player ever to play for the Huskies. He did not begin to play basketball until the age of 15, when he began to watch pickup games in Tanzania.
. Thabeet was named to the 2007 All-Big East
Rookie Team, along with fellow teammate Jerome Dyson.
. Thabeet was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and to the Second Team All Big East.
on January 31, 2009, with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks. He finished with 152 blocks on the season, and he was known for the shots he prevented from ever being taken.
He was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was co-Big East Player of the Year
with Pitt
's DeJuan Blair
. He was named Second Team All-America and National Defensive Player of the Year.
Thabeet surpassed the 1,000-point mark against Purdue on March 26, 2009. He was the third UConn player that season to do so (Jerome Dyson and A. J. Price
were the others). Thabeet helped lead UConn to their first Final Four
appearance since 2004.
In April 2009, Thabeet decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2009 NBA Draft
. He was drafted 2nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies
. He became the first Tanzanian born NBA player.
, Thabeet suffered a fractured jaw, and was out for a couple of weeks.
On December 13, 2009, he had a season-high five blocks.
On February 25, 2010, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that they were sending Thabeet to the NBA Development League. He was assigned to the Dakota Wizards
, the North Dakota affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies. He was the highest drafted player ever to be sent to the NBA Development League. Thabeet was recalled on March 8, 2010.
along with a first round pick in exchange for Shane Battier
.
Thabeet once again was assigned to the D-League, this time to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on March 21, 2011. On April 11, 2011, he was called up by the Houston Rockets.
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Memphis
| 68 || 13 || 13.0 || .588 || .000 || .581 || 3.6 || .2 || .2 || 1.3 || 3.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Memphis
| 45 || 0 || 8.2 || .436 || .000 || .543 || 1.7 || .1 || .2 || .3 || 1.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Houston
| 2 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .5 || .0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 115 || 13 || 10.9 || .550 || .000 || .570 || 2.8 || .1 || .2 || .9 || 2.3
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
of the NBA. He was drafted as the 2nd pick overall by the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
in the 2009 NBA Draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
after playing with the Connecticut Huskies
Connecticut Huskies men's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies is the name of the men's college basketball team representing the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut, USA. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
. At 7 in 3 in (2.21 m) and 263 lbs, Thabeet was the tallest player ever to play for the Huskies. He did not begin to play basketball until the age of 15, when he began to watch pickup games in Tanzania.
2006–07
As a freshman, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 blocks per game. On December 3, 2006, Thabeet tied a UConn record with 10 blocksBlock (basketball)
In basketball, a block , not to be confused with blocking, occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a field goal attempt from an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. In order to be legal, the block must occur while the shot...
. Thabeet was named to the 2007 All-Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
Rookie Team, along with fellow teammate Jerome Dyson.
2007–08
As a sophomore he saw increased minutes and he averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.5 blocks on the season. On January 5, 2008, he tied his career high in blocks with 10 in the Huskies' 73-67 loss at University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. Thabeet was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and to the Second Team All Big East.
2008–09
As a junior at UConn, Thabeet emerged on the national scene, averaging 13.6 points and 10.8 rebounds. He earned his first career triple-double against Providence CollegeProvidence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
on January 31, 2009, with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks. He finished with 152 blocks on the season, and he was known for the shots he prevented from ever being taken.
He was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was co-Big East Player of the Year
Big East Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Big East Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year award is given to the men's basketball player in the Big East Conference voted as the top performer by the conference coaches. The 16 head coaches of the league's teams submit their votes following the end of the regular season and before...
with Pitt
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in...
's DeJuan Blair
DeJuan Blair
DeJuan Lamont Blair is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association . Before turning pro Blair played center for the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team from 2007 to 2009...
. He was named Second Team All-America and National Defensive Player of the Year.
Thabeet surpassed the 1,000-point mark against Purdue on March 26, 2009. He was the third UConn player that season to do so (Jerome Dyson and A. J. Price
A. J. Price
Anthony Jordan "A.J." Price , is an American professional basketball player at point guard for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA. He was born in Orange, New Jersey and raised in East Massapequa, New York...
were the others). Thabeet helped lead UConn to their first Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
appearance since 2004.
In April 2009, Thabeet decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2009 NBA Draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
. He was drafted 2nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
. He became the first Tanzanian born NBA player.
2009–10 (rookie season)
In a November 10 game against the Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
, Thabeet suffered a fractured jaw, and was out for a couple of weeks.
On December 13, 2009, he had a season-high five blocks.
On February 25, 2010, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that they were sending Thabeet to the NBA Development League. He was assigned to the Dakota Wizards
Dakota Wizards
The Dakota Wizards are an American basketball team in the NBA Development League, based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Home games are played at the Bismarck Civic Center.-Beginnings in IBA:...
, the North Dakota affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies. He was the highest drafted player ever to be sent to the NBA Development League. Thabeet was recalled on March 8, 2010.
2010–11 season
On February 24, 2011 at the NBA trade deadline, Thabeet was traded to the Houston RocketsHouston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
along with a first round pick in exchange for Shane Battier
Shane Battier
Shane Courtney Battier is an American professional basketball player . He most recently played with the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. He has also been a member of the U.S...
.
Thabeet once again was assigned to the D-League, this time to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on March 21, 2011. On April 11, 2011, he was called up by the Houston Rockets.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Memphis
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
| 68 || 13 || 13.0 || .588 || .000 || .581 || 3.6 || .2 || .2 || 1.3 || 3.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Memphis
| 45 || 0 || 8.2 || .436 || .000 || .543 || 1.7 || .1 || .2 || .3 || 1.2
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
| 2 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .5 || .0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 115 || 13 || 10.9 || .550 || .000 || .570 || 2.8 || .1 || .2 || .9 || 2.3
Personal life
Thabeet is the son of Thabit Manka and Rukia Manka. His mother, Rukia, resides in Dar es Salaam. He has one sister, Sham, and one brother, Akbar.See also
- List of tallest players in National Basketball Association history
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career blocks leaders
- 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans2009 NCAA Men's Basketball All-AmericansAn All-American team is an honorary sports team composed of the best amateur players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...