Hasheem Thabeet (born Hashim Thabit Manka; 16 February 1987) is a Tanzanian professional basketball player for Dar City of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). He played college basketball for the UConn Huskies before being drafted second overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. 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.
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. When first recruited from Tanzania, Thabeet was fluent in Swahili but knew little English. He played high school basketball at Cypress Christian School in Houston, Texas, where Thabeet graduated in 2006.
As a freshman for the Connecticut Huskies, Thabeet averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 blocks per game. On 3 December 2006, he tied a UConn record for blocks in a game with 10. Thabeet was named to the 2007 All-Big East Rookie Team, along with teammate Jerome Dyson.
As a sophomore, Thabeet saw increased minutes and he averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.5 blocks on the season. On 5 January 2008, Thabeet tied his career high in blocks with 10 in the Huskies' 73–67 loss at University of Notre Dame. He 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. Thabeet 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. Thabeet was also 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.
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, Thabeet had a season-high five blocks.
On 25 February 2010, Thabeet was assigned to the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League, 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, he was recalled by the Grizzlies.
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. On 21 March, he was assigned with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. On 11 April, he was recalled by the Rockets.
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.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2012–2014)
On 11 July 2012, Thabeet signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. On 26 November, in a 114–69 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, he recorded his first career double-double with 13 points (a career high) and 10 rebounds.
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. Six days later, he was waived by the 76ers.
On 25 September 2014, Thabeet signed with the Detroit Pistons. However, he was later waived on 20 October.
On 1 November 2014, Thabeet was acquired by the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Pistons. 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.