University of Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet is working his way up the NBA Draft boards - while also helping UConn compete for a national title - with his defensive dominance and his improved offensive abilities.
Early Beginnings
Hasheem Thabeet was born on February 16, 1987 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He did not start playing basketball until 15 years old when he began watching pickup games in his African home nation. After being discovered in Kenya by Oliver Noah, an American businessman scouting African players for prep schools, Thabeet left Tanzania for the United States and began in a prep school in California. A short stay at a high school in Pacayune, Mississippi was followed by one year at Cypress Christian School in Houston, Texas. And as a senior in 2005-06, Thabeet averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game and was named Second Team All-City. He also played for the African team at the 2006 Global Games in Dallas, averaging 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocked shots.
Move To College At Connecticut
Thabeet decided to attend the University of Connecticut and at 7-foot-3 he was right away the tallest player ever to play for the Huskies. As a freshman in 2006-07, he started all 31 games and led the Big East in blocked shots with 3.8 per game, ranking him third in the nation. He also averaged 6.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in being named to the Big East All-Rookie Team. The extremely raw player scored a career best 15 points against Pepperdine and blocked a school record tying 10 shots in UConn's win over Texas Southern.
Improvement As Sophomore
Thabeet's minutes increased as a sophomore as did his production, averaging 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and an NCAA Division-I leading 4.5 blocks. He evened his career high in blocks with 10 in a loss against Notre Dame. Thabeet was named the Big East Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and to the Second Team All-Big East. The coaches association NABC awarded him the National Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Returning To Storrs For Junior Season
UConn coach John Calhoun talked Thabeet out of entering the NBA Draft for the second straight summer and the center continued to work on his game, especially on his offensive skills. And through the first 27 games of the 2008-09 season, Thabeet is averaging 13.4 points along with 10.5 rebounds and 4.4 blocks. He showed off his new offensive moves in the first game of the season, scoring a career high 23 points with 17 rebounds and 5 blocks. He has topped 20 points on four other occasions so far this season, including posting career highs of 25 points and 20 rebounds as well as 9 blocks against Seton Hall on February 14, 2009. On January 31, 2009 he recorded his first triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks against Providence.
Moving Up The Draft Board
Thabeet's improving offensive game has him moving up the NBA Draft boards than his amazing shot blocking skills - and 7-foot-5 wing span - alone could carry him. Some experts compare him to Dikembe Mutombo and others to Samuel Dalembert. But Thabeet definitely has his share of positives. His long arms make him a great shot-blocker. He is a good rebounder and athlete who can run the floor. He is developing an offensive game and is a willing listener and learner. Among the negatives is that he remains very raw and he needs to add lower body strength to help hold his position in the block.
Desire To Become Next Big Thing For Africa
Thabeet continually says in interview how much he wants to help his native Tanzania and basketball in that country. He has already become an idol for his countrymen similar to how Dikembe Mutombo was for Zaire and Hakeem Olajuwon has been for Nigeria. Thabeet even has met at least three times with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, in New York for the opening of the UN General Assembly.
