Wikipedia

Hasheem Thabeet

Hasheem Thabeet (born Hashim Thabit Manka; 16 February 1987)[1] is a Tanzanian professional basketball player who currently plays for Dar City. He played college basketball for UConn before being drafted second overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. His performance as a second overall draft pick has led many analysts to label him as one of the "biggest busts" in NBA history.[2][3]

Hasheem Thabeet
Thabeet with Hsinchu JKO Lioneers in 2021
Personal information
Born (1987-02-16) 16 February 1987 (age 37)
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Listed height7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
Listed weight260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High schoolCypress Christian School
(Houston, Texas)
CollegeUConn (2006–2009)
NBA draft2009: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career2009–present
PositionCenter
Career history
2009–2011Memphis Grizzlies
2010→Dakota Wizards
2011–2012Houston Rockets
2011→Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2012Portland Trail Blazers
2012–2014Oklahoma City Thunder
2014–2015Grand Rapids Drive
2017–2018Yokohama B-Corsairs
2019–2020Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2020–2021Hsinchu JKO Lioneers
2021Savio
2022–2023Sichuan Blue Whales
2023TaiwanBeer HeroBears
2023Pazi
2024Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
2024–presentDar City
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference

Early life

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Thabeet did not begin to play basketball until the age of 15, when he began to watch pick-up games in Tanzania. He started playing basketball while attending Makongo Secondary School in Dar es Salaam.[4] When first recruited from Tanzania, Thabeet was fluent in Swahili but knew little English.[5] He played high school basketball at Cypress Christian School in Houston, Texas where he graduated in 2006.

College career

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As a freshman for the Connecticut Huskies, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 blocks per game.[6] On 3 December 2006, Thabeet tied a UConn record for blocks in a game with 10.[7] Thabeet was named to the 2007 All-Big East Rookie Team, along with teammate Jerome Dyson.

As a sophomore, he saw increased minutes and he averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.5 blocks on the season.[6] On 5 January 2008, he tied his career high in blocks with 10 in the Huskies' 73–67 loss at University of Notre Dame.[8] Thabeet was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-Big East second team.

As a junior, Thabeet emerged on the national scene, averaging 13.6 points and 10.8 rebounds. He earned his first career triple-double against Providence College on 31 January 2009, with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks.[9] He finished with 152 blocks on the season. He was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was co-Big East Player of the Year with Pitt's DeJuan Blair.[10] He was named second team All-America and National Defensive Player of the Year.

Thabeet surpassed the 1,000-point mark against Purdue on 26 March 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 declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility.

Professional career

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Memphis Grizzlies (2009–2011)

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Thabeet was selected with the second overall pick in 2009 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, ahead of two future NBA MVPs James Harden and Stephen Curry, becoming the first Tanzanian-born NBA player. On 13 December 2009, he had a season-high five blocks.[11]

On 25 February 2010, he was assigned to the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League,[12] becoming the tallest and then-highest-drafted player (surpassed by Anthony Bennett in 2015, the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft) to be sent to the D-League. On 8 March 2010, he was recalled by the Grizzlies.[13]

Houston Rockets (2011–2012)

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On 24 February 2011, Thabeet was traded, along with a future first-round pick, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Shane Battier and Ish Smith.[14] On 21 March 2011, he was assigned with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. On 11 April 2011, he was recalled by the Rockets.

Portland Trail Blazers (2012)

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On 15 March 2012, Thabeet was traded, along with Jonny Flynn and a future second-round pick, to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Marcus Camby.[15]

Oklahoma City Thunder (2012–2014)

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On 11 July 2012, Thabeet signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[16] On 26 November 2012, in a 114–69 win over the Charlotte Bobcats, Thabeet recorded his first career double-double with 13 points (a career high) and 10 rebounds.[17]

Grand Rapids Drive (2014–2015)

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On 26 August 2014, Thabeet was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a trade exception and a 2015 protected second-round draft pick.[18][19] On 1 September 2014, he was waived by the 76ers.[20]

On 25 September 2014, Thabeet signed with the Detroit Pistons.[21] However, he was later waived by the Pistons on 20 October 2014.[22]

On 1 November 2014, Thabeet was acquired by the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Pistons.[23] In 49 games for the Drive, he averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

In July 2015, Thabeet joined the NBA D-League Select Team for the 2015 NBA Summer League.[24]

Yokohama B-Corsairs (2017–2018)

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On 29 September 2017, Thabeet signed with the Yokohama B-Corsairs of the Japanese B.League.[25]

Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2019–2020)

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For the 2019–20 season, Thabeet signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League.[26] He was cut on 16 January 2020.[27]

Hsinchu JKO Lioneers (2020–2021)

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On September 25, 2020, Thabeet signed with the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers of the Taiwanese P. League .[28] He was the league's rebounding leader, blocks leader and Defensive Player of Year for the 2020–21 season.[29][30]

On October 28, 2021, Thabeet signed with the Tainan TSG GhostHawks of the Taiwanese T1 League.[31] Chien Wei-Cheng, the general manager of the Tainan TSG GhostHawks, indicated that Thabeet would not join the Tainan TSG GhostHawks on December 24.[32]

Savio (2021)

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In 2021, Thabeet played for Savio in his native Tanzania, and guided the team to the Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball League (RBA) title and was named the Finals MVP.[33]

TaiwanBeer HeroBears (2023)

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On March 8, 2023, TaiwanBeer HeroBears registered Thabeet as import player.[34] On March 13, Thabeet signed with the TaiwanBeer HeroBears of the T1 League.[35]

Tanzania (2023–present)

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In September 2023, Thabeet joined the roster of Tanzanian champions Pazi for the 2024 BAL qualification tournaments.[36]

In December 2024, Thabeet was on the roster of Tanzania's Dar City and played in the inaugural East Africa Basketball Championship Cup (EABCC). He guided them to the second place with a 4–1 record.[37]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Memphis 68 13 13.0 .588 — .581 3.6 .2 .2 1.3 3.1
2010–11 Memphis 45 0 8.2 .436 — .543 1.7 .1 .2 .3 1.2
2010–11 Houston 2 0 2.0 .000 — — .0 .0 .0 .5 .0
2011–12 Houston 5 0 4.6 1.000 — — 1.4 .0 .0 .4 1.2
2011–12 Portland 15 3 7.7 .444 — .650 2.3 .0 .1 .5 1.9
2012–13 Oklahoma City 66 4 11.7 .604 — .604 3.0 .2 .5 .9 2.4
2013–14 Oklahoma City 23 0 8.3 .565 — .200 1.7 .0 .2 .4 1.2
Career 224 20 10.5 .567 — .578 2.7 .1 .3 .8 2.2

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013 Oklahoma City 4 0 6.5 .500 — — 1.5 .0 .3 .0 .5
2014 Oklahoma City 2 0 3.5 — — — .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
Career 6 0 5.5 .500 — — 1.0 .0 .2 .0 .3

NBA G League

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Source[38]

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Dakota 6 4 31.3 .500 – .690 11.2 .7 .7 3.2 13.8
2010–11 Rio Grande 6 5 27.8 .615 – .571 8.0 .7 .8 2.7 10.0
2014–15 Grand Rapids 48 42 22.3 .593 – .654 6.2 .4 .4 2.4 8.6
2019–20 Fort Wayne 9 2 16.4 .577 – .600 4.3 .7 .1 1.8 4.0
Career 68 53 22.8 .582 – .652 6.6 .4 .4 2.4 8.6

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011 Rio Grande 1 1 22.0 .000 – .750 6.0 2.0 .0 1.0 3.0

Personal life

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Thabeet is Muslim and fasts during Ramadan.[39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hasheem Thabeet NBA & ABA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Biggest draft busts in NBA history". foxsports.com. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  3. ^ "The Biggest Bust In Each NBA Draft From The 2000s". TheSportster. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  4. ^ "'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'". The Citizen.co.tz. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Biggest Man on Campus – Tanzanian freshman tallest ever at UConn". SI.com. 18 July 2006. Archived from the original on 9 September 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Hasheem Thabeet College Stats - College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  7. ^ Thabeet’s record 10 blocks key UConn’s big win – College basketball – MSNBC.com Archived 2 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Connecticut vs. Notre Dame - Game Recap - January 5, 2008 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Providence vs. Connecticut - Game Recap - January 31, 2009 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Blair, Thabeet share Big East award". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Rudy Gay scores 41 as Grizzlies beat Heat 118–90". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Grizzlies demote Thabeet to D-League's Wizards". ESPN.com. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  13. ^ "Grizzlies recall rookie Thabeet from D-League". ESPN.com. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  14. ^ Karl, Jason. "NBA Trade Deadline: Houston Rockets Acquire Hasheem Thabeet, Goran Dragic". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Blazers trade Marcus Camby to Rockets for Thabeet, Flynn :InsideHoops". www.insidehoops.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Thunder sign Hasheem Thabeet". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  17. ^ "Hasheem Thabeet finally has an NBA game highlight video, thanks to the Bobcats, garbage time". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Thunder Acquires Trade Exception and Draft Pick - Oklahoma City Thunder". NBA.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Sources: 76ers to trade for, waive Thabeet". 26 August 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  20. ^ "Sixers Waive Hasheem Thabeet". Hoops Rumors. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  21. ^ "Detroit Pistons Sign Four to Training Camp Roster - Detroit Pistons". NBA.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  22. ^ Deutsch, Linda. "Pistons release Thabeet, three others". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Grand Rapids DRIVE: 2014-15 Draft". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  24. ^ "Meet the 2015 NBA Development Select Team - NBA D-League". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  25. ^ "Hasheem Thabeet signs with Yokohama B-Corsairs of B1 League in Japan". sportando.com. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  26. ^ Stevens, Ryan (6 November 2019). "Mad Ants Finalize 2019-20 Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  27. ^ Groth, Zach (16 January 2020). "Mad Ants cut former NBA center Thabeet". WPTA21.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  28. ^ "Hasheem Thabeet Signs In Taiwan". Asia Basket. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  29. ^ "聯盟公布年度數據獎項得主" (Press release). P. LEAGUE . 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  30. ^ "籃板阻攻兼備制霸禁區 新竹街口攻城獅塔壁獲選年度防守球員" (Press release). P. LEAGUE . 26 April 2021. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  31. ^ "火藥味二人同隊！塔壁轉戰台南獵鷹 攜手賈西亞". NOWnews. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  32. ^ "阿提諾確定加盟台鋼獵鷹 錢韋成：本週戰雲豹將上陣". ETtoday. 24 December 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  33. ^ "Hasheem Thabeet seals move to Taiwanese League side". IPP Media. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  34. ^ "2023.03.08聯盟公告". T1 League (Press release). 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  35. ^ "221公分的前NBA榜眼塔壁來了！ 週日出戰魔獸領軍的雲豹". Liberty Times Net. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  36. ^ "Road to BAL: Dar es Salaam hosts Group C teams in battle for Elite 16 slot". FIBA.basketball. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  37. ^ "Thabeet tribute on final day of 2024 East Africa Basketball Championship Cup". www.fiba.basketball. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  38. ^ "Hasheem Thabeet G-League Stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  39. ^ Hynes, Calder (19 January 2011). "Hornets.com 1-on-1: Memphis' Hasheem Thabeet". NBA.com. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
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