Former NBA center Hasheem Thabeet is signing a deal in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Fujian Sturgeons, agent Jerry Dianis told Hoops Rumors.
Thabeet most recently played in Taiwan, averaging 18.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game while receiving Defensive Player of the Year honors. This will be Thabeet’s first time playing in China during his professional career.
“Hasheem is the best rim protector on the planet,” Dianis said. “China has 1.4 billion people and he’s excited to play on this stage. His ultimate goal is to return to the NBA, something that could happen as soon as this year.”
Thabeet, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, has made past NBA stops with Memphis, Houston, Portland, and Oklahoma City. Known as a fierce shot-blocker at 7’3″, he also spent three collegiate seasons at UConn and holds international experience in Japan.
Prior to signing in Taiwan, Thabeet worked out for several teams, including the Knicks, Nuggets, Bucks, Warriors, and Sixers. He carries 224 games of NBA experience and joins a team that has signed veterans such as Christian Wood and Amar’e Stoudemire in past years.
It is true that Sam Bowie went number 2 ahead of MJ and all that stuff, but he wasn’t that bad as a player. But this guy here, Thabeet, was number 2, ahead of Harden, Curry, Derozan, Holiday… And was a horrible player. Must be the biggest bust ever along with Bennett.
Sam Bowie was amazingly good, a generational talent, so IMO the only reason why he was a bad pick was ’cause his career got marred by injuries, but you can’t blame the guy for that, so Bowie was anything but a bust!
Dont forget Darko who went # 2 ahead of Carmelo, Wade and Chris Bosh. Must be something about # 2 that makes this draft spot smell so bad!
Give me some of whatever it is that his agent is smoking, my god
LMAO