Hasheem Thabeet Named 2007-08
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
 NEW YORK (March 11, 2008)-- University of Connecticut sophomore
center Hasheem Thabeet (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) was named the 2007-08
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Tuesday evening at a press conference at
the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Thabeet's selection marks the fifth time in six seasons that UConn has had the
league's top defensive player and he becomes the fifth Husky to earn the honor,
joining Hilton Armstrong (2005-06), Josh Boone (2004-05), Emeka Okafor (2003-04
& 2002-03) and Donyell Marshall (1993-94).
Thabeet is averaging 4.6 blocks per game this season, ranking No. 3 nationally
and leading the BIG EAST for the second straight season. He averaged 5.2 blocks
per game in league play and his 94 total blocks in BIG EAST play set a new
conference record, breaking the old mark of 93 held by Alonzo Mourning of
Georgetown, set in 1991-92.
Thabeet was named Monday to the All-BIG EAST Second Team and was also an
All-District Second Team selection by the NABC.
The Huskies open play in the BIG EAST Tournament Thursday with a 2:00 p.m.
contest against the winner of the Wednesday First Round game between West
Virginia and Providence. |
