Albert Ahabwe

Eight months ago Hasheem Thabeet was celebrating his selection as the 2nd overall pick of the NBA draft, the first such by a player from the East African region. He now holds a new distinction: the highest pick ever to be sent to the NBA's Development League.

The Tanzanian centre's success and draft into the worlds biggest and most commercially Basketball league had caused so much euphoria and inspired many young players who also relished the chance to follow in his footsteps. But a poor run of form in the first half of the season has caused the management of his team, the Memphis Grizzlies to send the 2009 NBA Draft 2nd overall draft pick to the Development league; a league perceived as the NBA's doghouse.

But that's not to say Thabeet has lost all his star power: In honor of his arrival, the Dakota Wizards, his new team discounted general-admission tickets for Wednesday's game to US$2.

People in the NBA are "definitely looking at it negatively," Thabeet said. "'He's the No. 2 pick. He's not supposed to be there. I can't believe that guy is over there and he's the second pick.' But you got to go and work your way up there. I'm working my way up here, working on my confidence.

"When the time comes, I'll be able to answer the call." The Memphis Grizzlies decided they couldn't pass on Thabeet's potential to become a shot-blocking giant when they drafted the 7-foot-3 center. A second-team All-America from the University of Connecticut, Thabeet drew comparisons to former NBA defensive great Dikembe Mutombo. In doing so, however, the Grizzlies passed on more NBA-ready prospects like Tyreke Evans, James Harden, Jonny Flynn and Stephen Curry all of whom are already having great rookie seasons.

Thabeet's high draft selection earned him a US$4.5 million salary for his rookie season, and he admits to feeling immense pressure to succeed immediately. His contributions, however, were much more modest: Before being sent to Dakota, he was averaging 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and two fouls in 10.3 minutes per game. He's struggled to adjust to the quicker pace of the NBA and his offensive skills still need considerable refining.

And he hasn't disappoint so far, totaling 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in a 109-81 win over Albuquerque in his first game. Through three D-League games, Thabeet has averaged 15 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks while shooting 68%.
"People are expecting a lot from you," Thabeet said. "Your teammates back from high school and college. Your college coaches, everyone that knows you. They're all expecting a lot from me. That's a lot of pressure. But now I have to look at it as motivation to work even harder. They sent me out here. I got to show them, 'OK, this is not where I belong.' I just have to keep working hard and my time will come.

"I put myself into this situation. Now I got to deal with it." Dakota coach Rory White said Thabeet remains a "work in progress." "Right now, it's all about getting him some confidence, and the only way to do that is to get him some minutes in a real game," White said.

Thabeet hasn't grumbled about his D-League assignment. He hasn't forgotten that he began playing organized basketball just seven years ago. It's not too long ago that he was emailing coaches and schools, begging for an opportunity to play in the United States.

To Thabeet, this is just another stop in his long, unusual journey.
"This is my job," Thabeet said. "I just got to come out here and do what they want me to do - my job. I got to continue to work on my weaknesses and get better on them. I'm excited and I can't wait to go back up there."