Hasheem Thabeet

Lore & Background

Thabeet's performance as a second overall draft pick has led many analysts to label him as one of the 'biggest busts' in NBA history. He did not begin to play basketball until the age of 15. He was fluent in Swahili but knew little English when first recruited from Tanzania. He played high school basketball at Cypress Christian School in Houston, Texas, graduating in 2006. In college, he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year twice and co-Big East Player of the Year with Pitt's DeJuan Blair. He helped lead UConn to their first Final Four appearance since 2004.

In Their Own Story

The FedExForum arena hummed with anticipation as Hasheem Thabeet stepped onto the court for his first regular-season game. The lights glinted off the polished hardwood, illuminating the massive silhouette that stretched toward the rafters. As the opposing guard drove to the basket, Thabeet exploded upward, his wingspan seemingly swallowing the lane whole. A thunderous block echoed through the crowd, a roar of approval rising from the fans who saw in him the promise of a defensive dynasty.

Reader's Guide

Thabeet was selected second overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the first Tanzanian-born NBA player. He played for the Grizzlies (2009–2011), Houston Rockets (2011–2012), Portland Trail Blazers (2012), and Oklahoma City Thunder (2012–2014). He was assigned to the Dakota Wizards and Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA D-League. Later, he played for Grand Rapids Drive, Yokohama B-Corsairs, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Hsinchu JKO Lioneers, Tainan TSG GhostHawks, Savio, TaiwanBeer HeroBears, Pazi, and Dar City. He was the rebounding leader, blocks leader, and Defensive Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season in the Taiwanese P. League+.

Did You Know?

• Thabeet was drafted ahead of two future NBA MVPs: James Harden and Stephen Curry.
• He tied a UConn record for blocks in a game with 10 on 3 December 2006.
• He earned his first career triple-double against Providence College on 31 January 2009.
• He was the tallest and then-highest-drafted player to be sent to the D-League when assigned to the Dakota Wizards in 2010.
• Thabeet is Muslim and fasts during Ramadan.