Thunder Signs Hasheem Thabeet

OKLAHOMA CITY, July 11, 2012 – The Oklahoma City Thunder signed center Hasheem Thabeet to a contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Thabeet (7-3, 263), the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, has appeared in 135 games (16 starts) with Memphis, Houston and Portland, averaging 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to welcome Hasheem to our organization,” said Presti. “We look forward to him continuing his development as a young player as a member of the Thunder.”

The center played three seasons at Connecticut, averaging 10.3 points on .611 shooting from the floor, 8.5 rebounds and 4.2 blocks in 100 games (99 starts). He was a two-time winner of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) National Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2008 and 2009.