Former No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet is attempting an NBA comeback after spending seven years away from the league, Ben Stinar writes for Sports Illustrated.
Thabeet, a 7-foot-3 center, averaged 18.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game during his latest stint in Taiwan, receiving MVP honors with the Hsinchu Lioneers. He worked out for a handful of NBA teams in 2019 and hopes to eventually complete his comeback at 34 years old.
For his career, Thabeet has played 224 games with four different NBA teams. His last stint in the states came with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants — G League affiliate of the Pacers — during the 2019/20 season.
Here are some other odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Dwyane Wade‘s role with TNT isn’t expected to change despite purchasing an ownership stake in the Jazz, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times (Twitter link). Some league observers expected Wade to relinquish his analyst duties on TNT due to the agreement. League rules require that he can’t partake in Utah’s front-office decisions (including recruiting free agents) so long as he remains on TV, Stein adds.
- Alex Antetokounmpo made his debut in the Spanish Liga ACB this past week, as relayed by Sportando. The 19-year-old is the youngest of the Antetokounmpo brothers — which includes Giannis (Bucks), Thanasis (Bucks), Kostas (Lakers) and Francis.
- The NBA has warned its teams to be ready for the results from Derek Chauvin’s trial, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Chauvin faces charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd from last May. The league office is preparing for games to be postponed if need be, Wojnarowski reports.
How much stake does Wade own in the Jazz?
It hasn’t been said or possibly finalized yet. However, 1% is the minimum buy-in price. Perhaps it won’t be finalized on the amount until the season is over? The press conference is on YouTube.
Man has been attempting a come back since he was drafted. More power to him, but what has changed in his game? Those China league games are a joke.
The Sam Bowie of the ’09 draft taken ahead of Harden, Curry and DeRozan.
Except Bowie was actually really good. I believe he got injured or something, like Oden, and never was the same.
Bowie was a decent player when healthy but it’s hard to go through life as the player picked before Michael Jordan. The Rockets can be excused for taking Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon ahead of MJ to pair him with Ralph Sampson in the Twin Towers, but Portland will never live the pick down. One thing to remember is that Jordan came out after his junior year at UNC when that was a rare thing to do.
As for Thabeet, you can’t teach height. Then again Chuck Nevitt at 7’5″ was a backbencher for the Bad Boy Pistons. I’ve seen on Nets Daily a user suggest the Nets bring him in to take Aldridge’s spot. It looks like Marks is not jumping to add anyone to the roster right now.
Portland had Clyde drexler though so they picked Bowie because they needed a center.. obviously they didn’t know that jordan would be the goat or Bowie would have bad luck with injuries but drexler was a beast
Portland passed on Barkley too
Thabeet, Darko, Bowie. Several dudes at the #2 slot were straight up busts or super average wedged between HOFer’s or Fringe HOFer’s. MKG could be added (AD & Beal wedge), MB3 looking like he’ll go down that route too (Ayton, Doncic).
Not sure how you are that big and become more mobile at 34…
he has 5G now, yoga, idk either.