 Thabeet during a Thunder game. | ||
| No. 34 – Hsinchu JKO Lioneers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position: | Center | |
| Personal information | ||
| Born: | December 16, 1987 Dar es Salaam Tanzania | |
| Listed height: | 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) | |
| Listed weight: | 263 lbs (119 kg) | |
| Career information | ||
| High school: | Cypress Christian (TX) | |
| College: | Connecticut | |
| NBA Draft: | 2009 / Rnd: 1 / Pick: 2nd | |
| Career history | ||
| ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
| ||
| External links | ||
| Profile at NBA.com Stats at Basketball-Reference | ||
Hasheem Thabeet (born Hashim Thabit Manka on December 16, 1987) is a Tanzanian professional basketball center who formerly played in National Basketball Association. Thabeet is currently competing in Taiwan for Hsinchu JKO Lioneers. Thabeet was drafted 2nd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies out of Connecticut.
University of Connecticut[]
2006–2007[]
As a freshman, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 blocks per game.[1] On December 3, 2006, Thabeet tied a UConn record with 10 blocks.[2] Thabeet was named to the 2007 All-Big East Rookie Team, along with fellow teammate Jerome Dyson.
2007–2008[]
As a sophomore he saw increased minutes and he averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.5 blocks on the season.[1] On January 5, 2008, he tied his career high in blocks with 10 in the Huskies' 73-67 loss at University of Notre Dame.[3] Thabeet was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and to the Second Team All Big East Also he was named as National Defensive Player Of The Year by the Coaches Association, NABC. [4]
2008–2009[]
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 on January 31, 2009, with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks.[5] He finished with 152 blocks on the season, and he is also known for the shots he prevents 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.[6] He was also 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 3rd UConn player that season to do so (Jerome Dyson and AJ Price were the others).
Thabeet decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2009 NBA Draft on April 14th, 2009
Personal[]
Thabeet, a Muslim, 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, William.
After Thabeet's father died, Thabeet removed his last name and took his middle name as his last. Before attending UConn, Hasheem attended the Cypress Christian School in Houston, Texas, where he averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game. Thabeet helped lead UConn to their first final four appearance since 2004.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 ESPN - Hasheem Thabeet Stats
- ↑ Thabeet’s record 10 blocks key UConn’s big win - College basketball - MSNBC.com
- ↑ ESPN - Connecticut vs. Notre Dame - Recap - January 05, 2008
- ↑ "Hasheem Thabeet Named 2007–08 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year". http://www.uconnhuskies.com/AllStories/MBasketball/2008/03/11/20080311.html. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ↑ Providence vs. Connecticut Box Score
- ↑ Thabeet, Blair Share BIG EAST Player of the Year Award