Hasheem Thabeet Signs with the Grizzlies
July 19, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Basketball
With the second pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Hasheem Thabeet out of UConn. While still a raw prospect, many NBA scouts believe that Thabeet’s 7-foot-3 frame gives him a chance to be a dominant defensive player.
On Sunday, Thabeet signed his rookie contract with the Grizzlies. He’s expected to have signed a contract worth about $7.7 million over two years.
Last year at UConn, Thabeet averaged around thirteen and a half points, almost elevan rebounds and around four blocks per game. The now 22-year-old center was regarded as the best interior defender during his time in college.
Recently, Thabeet has been playing for the Grizzlies summer league team and helped the squad go undefeated at 5-0. In those five games, Thabeet averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 25 minutes per game.
Scouts have been a bit underwhelmed with his performance in summer league but many think he’ll improve as the teammates around him improve.
Hasheem Thabeet - Memphis Grizzlies (Image: Zuma Press)
