Hasheem Thabeet

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Hasheem Thabeet

| image = Hasheem Thabeet basketball (cropped).jpg

| caption = Thabeet with Hsinchu JKO Lioneers in 2021

| number =

| team =

| league =

| position = Center

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|2|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

| height_ft = 7

| height_in = 3

| weight_lb = 260

| high school = Cypress Christian School
(Houston, Texas, U.S.)

| college = UConn (2006–2009)

| draft_year = 2009

| draft_round = 1

| draft_pick = 2

| draft_team = Memphis Grizzlies

| career_start = 2009

| career_end =

| years1 = {{nbay|2009|start}}–{{nbay|2010|end}}

| team1 = Memphis Grizzlies

| years2 = 2010

| team2 = →Dakota Wizards

| years3 = {{nbay|2010|end}}–{{nbay|2011|end}}

| team3 = Houston Rockets

| years4 = 2011

| team4 = →Rio Grande Valley Vipers

| years5 = {{nbay|2011|end}}

| team5 = Portland Trail Blazers

| years6 = {{nbay|2012|start}}–{{nbay|2013|end}}

| team6 = Oklahoma City Thunder

| years7 = 2014–2015

| team7 = Grand Rapids Drive

| years9 = 2017–2018

| team9 = Yokohama B-Corsairs

| years10 = 2019–2020

| team10 = Fort Wayne Mad Ants

| years11 = 2020–2021

| team11 = Hsinchu JKO Lioneers

| years12 = 2021

| team12 = Savio

| years13 = 2022–2023

| team13 = Sichuan Blue Whales

| years14 = 2023

| team14 = TaiwanBeer HeroBears

| years15 = 2023

| team15 = Pazi

| years16 = 2024

| team16 = Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers

| highlights = * P.League+ rebounding leader (2021)

P.League+ blocks leader (2021)
P.League+ Defensive Player of Year (2021)
NBA D-League All-Defensive Third Team (2015)
2× NABC Defensive Player of the Year (2008, 2009)
Consensus second-team All-American (2009)
Big East co-Player of the Year (2009)
2× Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2008, 2009)

| bbr = thabeha01

| years17 = 2024–present

| team17 = Dar City

}}

Hasheem Thabeet (born Hashim Thabit Manka; 16 February 1987){{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thabeha01.html|title=Hasheem Thabeet NBA & ABA Stats|work=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=19 November 2013}} is a Tanzanian professional basketball player who currently plays for Dar City. He played college basketball for the UConn Huskies 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/biggest-draft-busts-kwame-brown-michael-olowokandi-sam-bowie-darko-milicic-062512|title=Biggest draft busts in NBA history|date=October 20, 2016|website=foxsports.com|access-date=December 8, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thesportster.com/basketball/nba-draft-bust-disappointment-injuries/|title=The Biggest Bust In Each NBA Draft From The 2000s|date=May 4, 2020|website=TheSportster|access-date=December 8, 2021}}

Early life

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/-all-work-and-no-play-makes-jack-a-dull-boy--2528932|title=‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’|website=The Citizen.co.tz|date=28 July 2015|accessdate=10 February 2024}} When first recruited from Tanzania, Thabeet was fluent in Swahili but knew little English.{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/sioncampus/07/18/uconn.hasheem/index.html |title=Biggest Man on Campus – Tanzanian freshman tallest ever at UConn |date=18 July 2006 |access-date=29 October 2009 |work=SI.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909020834/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/sioncampus/07/18/uconn.hasheem/index.html |archive-date=9 September 2009 }} He played high school basketball at Cypress Christian School in Houston, Texas where he graduated in 2006.

College career

As a freshman for the Connecticut Huskies, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 blocks per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/hasheem-thabeet-1.html|title=Hasheem Thabeet College Stats - College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=19 June 2017}} On 3 December 2006, Thabeet tied a UConn record for blocks in a game with 10.[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16025260/ Thabeet’s record 10 blocks key UConn’s big win – College basketball – MSNBC.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102095153/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16025260/ |date=2 January 2007 }} 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. On 5 January 2008, he tied his career high in blocks with 10 in the Huskies' 73–67 loss at University of Notre Dame.{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280050087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022062702/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280050087|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 October 2012|title=Connecticut vs. Notre Dame - Game Recap - January 5, 2008 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=19 June 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290310041|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202033521/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290310041|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2009|title=Providence vs. Connecticut - Game Recap - January 31, 2009 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=19 June 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=ncb&id=3968423|title=Blair, Thabeet share Big East award|access-date=19 June 2017}} 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, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.

Professional career

= Memphis Grizzlies (2009–2011) =

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/rudy-gay-scores-41-grizzlies-beat-heat-118-90|title=Rudy Gay scores 41 as Grizzlies beat Heat 118–90|access-date=19 June 2017}}

On 25 February 2010, he was assigned to the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4946483|title=Grizzlies demote Thabeet to D-League's Wizards|date=25 February 2010|website=ESPN.com|access-date=19 June 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4977560|title=Grizzlies recall rookie Thabeet from D-League|date=8 March 2010|website=ESPN.com|access-date=19 June 2017}}

= Houston Rockets (2011–2012) =

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.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/619257-nba-trade-deadline-houston-rockets-acquire-hasheem-thabeet-goran-dragic|title=NBA Trade Deadline: Houston Rockets Acquire Hasheem Thabeet, Goran Dragic|first=Jason|last=Karl|website=Bleacher Report |access-date=19 June 2017}} 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)=

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9445|title=Blazers trade Marcus Camby to Rockets for Thabeet, Flynn :InsideHoops|website=www.insidehoops.com|access-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819150024/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=9445|archive-date=19 August 2018|url-status=dead}}

= Oklahoma City Thunder (2012–2014) =

On 11 July 2012, Thabeet signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/thunder/release_thabeet_120711.html|title=Thunder sign Hasheem Thabeet|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.|date=11 July 2012|access-date=11 July 2012}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/hasheem-thabeet-finally-nba-game-highlight-video-thanks-203518054--nba.html|title=Hasheem Thabeet finally has an NBA game highlight video, thanks to the Bobcats, garbage time|access-date=19 June 2017}}

= Grand Rapids Drive (2014–2015) =

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release_trade_140826|title=Thunder Acquires Trade Exception and Draft Pick - Oklahoma City Thunder|website=NBA.com |access-date=19 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11413966/philadelphia-76ers-trade-waive-hasheem-thabeet|title=Sources: 76ers to trade for, waive Thabeet|date=26 August 2014 |access-date=19 June 2017}} On 1 September 2014, he was waived by the 76ers.{{cite web|url=http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2014/09/sixers-hasheem-thabeet.html|title=Sixers Waive Hasheem Thabeet|website=Hoops Rumors|access-date=19 June 2017}}

On 25 September 2014, Thabeet signed with the Detroit Pistons.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/detroit-pistons-sign-four-training-camp-roster|title=Detroit Pistons Sign Four to Training Camp Roster - Detroit Pistons|website=NBA.com |access-date=19 June 2017}} However, he was later waived by the Pistons on 20 October 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/10/20/pistons-moves.ap/index.html|title=Pistons release Thabeet, three others|first=Linda|last=Deutsch|author-link=Linda Deutsch |website=NBA.com |access-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209044246/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/10/20/pistons-moves.ap/index.html|archive-date=9 December 2014|url-status=dead}}

On 1 November 2014, Thabeet was acquired by the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Pistons.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/grandrapids/grand_rapids_drive_201415_dr_2014_11_03.html|title=Grand Rapids DRIVE: 2014-15 Draft|website=NBA.com |access-date=19 June 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118175704/http://www.nba.com/dleague/grandrapids/grand_rapids_drive_201415_dr_2014_11_03.html|archive-date=18 January 2016}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/photo-gallery/meet-the-2015-nba-development-league-select-team-summer-league-las-vegas/|title=Meet the 2015 NBA Development Select Team - NBA D-League|access-date=19 June 2017}}

= Yokohama B-Corsairs (2017–2018) =

On 29 September 2017, Thabeet signed with the Yokohama B-Corsairs of the Japanese B.League.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/asia/japan/248354/hasheem-thabeet-signs-with-yokohama-b-corsairs-of-b1-league-in-japan.html|title=Hasheem Thabeet signs with Yokohama B-Corsairs of B1 League in Japan|publisher=sportando.com|access-date=29 September 2017}}

= Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2019–2020) =

For the 2019–20 season, Thabeet signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League.{{cite web |last1=Stevens |first1=Ryan |title=Mad Ants Finalize 2019-20 Opening Night Roster |url=https://fortwayne.gleague.nba.com/news/mad-ants-finalize-2019-20-opening-night-roster/ |website=NBA.com |access-date=5 December 2019 |date=6 November 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118234238/https://fortwayne.gleague.nba.com/news/mad-ants-finalize-2019-20-opening-night-roster/ |url-status=dead }} He was cut on 16 January 2020.{{cite web |last1=Groth |first1=Zach |title=Mad Ants cut former NBA center Thabeet |url=https://wpta21.com/2020/01/16/mad-ants-cut-former-nba-center-thabeet/ |website=WPTA21.com |access-date=23 March 2020 |date=16 January 2020 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930155119/https://wpta21.com/2020/01/16/mad-ants-cut-former-nba-center-thabeet/ |url-status=dead }}

= Hsinchu JKO Lioneers (2020–2021) =

On September 25, 2020, Thabeet signed with the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers of the Taiwanese P. League+.{{cite web |title=Hasheem Thabeet Signs In Taiwan |url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Taiwan/news/645966/Hasheem-Thabeet-Signs-In-Taiwan |website=Asia Basket |access-date=September 25, 2020 |date=September 25, 2020}} He was the league's rebounding leader, blocks leader and Defensive Player of Year for the 2020–21 season.{{cite press release |title=聯盟公布年度數據獎項得主 |url=https://pleagueofficial.com/news-detail/62 |accessdate=2021-04-12 |publisher=P. LEAGUE+ |date=2021-04-12 |archive-date=2021-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412122221/https://pleagueofficial.com/news-detail/62 |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |title=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 |url=https://pleagueofficial.com/news-detail/70 |accessdate=2021-05-03 |publisher=P. LEAGUE+ |date=2021-04-26 |archive-date=2021-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510091953/https://pleagueofficial.com/news-detail/70 |url-status=live }}

On October 28, 2021, Thabeet signed with the Tainan TSG GhostHawks of the Taiwanese T1 League.{{cite news |title=火藥味二人同隊！塔壁轉戰台南獵鷹攜手賈西亞 |url=https://www.nownews.com/news/5424407 |accessdate=2021-10-28 |work=NOWnews |date=2021-10-28}} Chien Wei-Cheng, the general manager of the Tainan TSG GhostHawks, indicated that Thabeet would not join the Tainan TSG GhostHawks on December 24.{{cite news|url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2154090|title=阿提諾確定加盟台鋼獵鷹錢韋成：本週戰雲豹將上陣|date=December 24, 2021|work=ETtoday|access-date=January 1, 2022}}

= Savio (2021) =

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.{{Cite news |date=2021-11-03 |title=Hasheem Thabeet seals move to Taiwanese League side |work=IPP Media |url=https://www.ippmedia.com/en/sport/hasheem-thabeet-seals-move-taiwan-league-side%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0 |access-date=2022-08-19}}

= TaiwanBeer HeroBears (2023) =

On March 8, 2023, TaiwanBeer HeroBears registered Thabeet as import player.{{cite press release |title=2023.03.08聯盟公告 |url=https://t1league.basketball/announcements/1120 |accessdate=March 8, 2023 |work=T1 League |date=March 8, 2023}} On March 13, Thabeet signed with the TaiwanBeer HeroBears of the T1 League.{{cite news |title=221公分的前NBA榜眼塔壁來了！週日出戰魔獸領軍的雲豹 |url=https://sports.ltn.com.tw/news/breakingnews/4238174 |accessdate=March 13, 2023 |work=Liberty Times Net |date=March 13, 2023}}

= Tanzania (2023–present) =

In September 2023, Thabeet joined the roster of Tanzanian champions Pazi for the 2024 BAL qualification tournaments.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-29 |title=Road to BAL: Dar es Salaam hosts Group C teams in battle for Elite 16 slot |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/africaleague/2024/qualifiers/news/road-to-bal-dar-es-salaam-hosts-group-c-teams-in-battle-for-elite-16-slot |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=FIBA.basketball |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-15 |title=Thabeet tribute on final day of 2024 East Africa Basketball Championship Cup |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/thabeet-tribute-on-final-day-of-2024-east-africa-basketball-championship-cup |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.fiba.basketball |language=en}}

Career statistics

=Regular season=

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2009}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 68 || 13 || 13.0 || .588 || {{sort|-|—}} || .581 || 3.6 || .2 || .2 || 1.3 || 3.1

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2010}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 45 || 0 || 8.2 || .436 || {{sort|-|—}} || .543 || 1.7 || .1 || .2 || .3 || 1.2

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2010}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Houston

| 2 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .0 || .0 || .0 || .5 || .0

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2011}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Houston

| 5 || 0 || 4.6 || 1.000 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.4 || .0 || .0 || .4 || 1.2

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2011}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Portland

| 15 || 3 || 7.7 || .444 || {{sort|-|—}} || .650 || 2.3 || .0 || .1 || .5 || 1.9

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2012}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City

| 66 || 4 || 11.7 || .604 || {{sort|-|—}} || .604 || 3.0 || .2 || .5 || .9 || 2.4

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2013}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City

| 23 || 0 || 8.3 || .565 || {{sort|-|—}} || .200 || 1.7 || .0 || .2 || .4 || 1.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 224 || 20 || 10.5 || .567 || {{sort|-|—}} || .578 || 2.7 || .1 || .3 || .8 || 2.2

=Playoffs=

| style="text-align:left;"|2013

| style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City

| 4 || 0 || 6.5 || .500 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.5 || .0 || .3 || .0 || .5

| style="text-align:left;"|2014

| style="text-align:left;"|Oklahoma City

| 2 || 0 || 3.5 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 6 || 0 || 5.5 || .500 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.0 || .0 || .2 || .0 || .3

=NBA G League=

Source{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/t/thabeha01d.html|title=Hasheem Thabeet G-League Stats|website=Basketball Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|accessdate=5 July 2022}}

==Regular season==

| align="left"| 2009–10

| align="left" | Dakota

| 6 || 4 || 31.3 || .500 || – || .690 || 11.2 || .7 || .7 || 3.2 || 13.8

| align="left" | 2010–11

| align="left" | Rio Grande

| 6 || 5 || 27.8 || .615 || – || .571 || 8.0 || .7 || .8 || 2.7 || 10.0

| align="left" | 2014–15

| align="left" | Grand Rapids

| 48 || 42 || 22.3 || .593 || – || .654 || 6.2 || .4 || .4 || 2.4 || 8.6

| align="left" | 2019–20

| align="left" | Fort Wayne

| 9 || 2 || 16.4 || .577 || – || .600 || 4.3 || .7 || .1 || 1.8 || 4.0

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 68 || 53 || 22.8 || .582 || – || .652 || 6.6 || .4 || .4 || 2.4 || 8.6

==Playoffs==

| style="text-align:left;"| 2011

| style="text-align:left;"| Rio Grande

| 1 || 1 || 22.0 || .000 || – || .750 || 6.0 || 2.0 || .0 || 1.0 || 3.0

Personal life

Thabeet is Muslim and fasts during Ramadan.{{cite news|last1=Hynes|first1=Calder|title=Hornets.com 1-on-1: Memphis' Hasheem Thabeet|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/hornetscom_1on1_memphis_h_2011_01_26.html|access-date=7 December 2015|work=NBA.com|date=19 January 2011}}