Thabeet did not begin to play basketball until the age of 15, when he began to watch pick-up games in Tanzania. 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 he graduated in 2006.
College career
2006–07
As a freshman for the Connecticut Huskies, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.8 blocks per game. On 3 December 2006, Thabeet 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.
2007–08
As a sophomore, he saw increased minutes and he averaged 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.5 blocks on the season. On 5 January 2008, he tied his career high in blocks with 10 in the Huskies' 73–67 loss at University of Notre Dame. Thabeet was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-Big East second team.
2008–09
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. He finished with 152 blocks on the season. He was named Big EastDefensive Player of the Year and was co-Big East Player of the Year with Pitt's DeJuan Blair. He was 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. Thabeet helped lead UConn to their first Final Four appearance since 2004. In April 2009, Thabeet declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility.
Professional career
Memphis Grizzlies
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, he had a season-high five blocks. On 25 February 2010, he was assigned to the Dakota Wizards of the NBA Development League, becoming the tallest and then-highest-drafted player to be sent to the D-League. On 8 March 2010, 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 2011, he was assigned with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. On 11 April 2011, 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.
On 11 July 2012, Thabeet signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. On 26 November 2012, in a 114–69 win over the Charlotte Bobcats, Thabeet recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
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. On 1 September 2014, he was waived by the 76ers.
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.
For the 2019–20 season, Thabeet signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League. He was cut on 16 January 2020.
Career statistics
Regular season
Playoffs
Personal life
Thabeet is the son of Rukia Manka and the late Thabit Manka. He has one sister, Sham, and one brother, Akbar. Thabeet is Muslim and fasts during Ramadan.
