Every sports fan knows ESPN as the ‘Worldwide Leader in Sports’, but for Tanzanian-born University of Connecticut junior center Hasheem Thabeet his status as college basketball’s ‘Worldwide Leader in Swatted Shots’ has led to him gracing the cover of the current Nov. 17 issue of ESPN The Magazine.
Fans will be able to catch the reigning NABC National Defensive Player of the Year and BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year on Dec. 20 at the Comcast 2008 Battle in Seattle, as Thabeet leads his second-ranked University of Connecticut Huskies against the number ten-ranked Gonzaga University Bulldogs at KeyArena.
Many experts believe Thabeet will be a sure top-five pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, if he decides to enter the professional ranks at the conclusion of the 2008-2009 season. Perhaps the most exciting defensive player in the storied tradition of University of Connecticut men’s basketball, look for Thabeet to actively pursue his career-high of 10 blocks in a single game against Gonzaga University’s up-tempo, slash-to-the-basket style of offense.
Thabeet and his Huskies have already been named preseason favorites to win the 2008-2009 BIG EAST regular-season title. The Bulldogs and the Huskies last met on December 1, 2007 in Boston with the Zags prevailing by the score of 85 to 82. Connecticut holds a 2-1 all-time series lead over Gonzaga.
For updated information and additional details of this event, visit the official website: www.battleinseattle.com.