MEMPHIS, Feb. 20, 2010 - The Memphis Grizzlies assigned center Hasheem Thabeet to the Dakota Wizards, the team’s NBA Development League’s affiliate, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.
A 7-3, 267-pound center, Thabeet has averaged 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.16 blocks (second among NBA rookies) on 58.0 percent shooting in 10.3 minutes over 50 games. The second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft leads all qualifying NBA players in blocks per 48 minutes (5.40), over one rejection more than the second-highest player on that list (Miami’s Joel Anthony, 4.31).
A native of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Thabeet has recorded multiple blocks in 16 games this season, including a career-high five swats on Dec. 13 at Miami. The 23-year-old tallied a career-best 10 points on Jan. 2 at Phoenix.