Get to Know “Hash”

 

by Doug Potter

Big, manly, giant, defensive monster, shot-blocking machine, human eraser. Those are some of the adjectives many people choose to describe the seven-foot-three 263 pound center for the University of Connecticut Huskies, and rightfully so. Let’s take a look, however, at Hasheem Thabeet Manka on a deeper level.

The 22 year old deep-voiced Tazmanian was born in Dar Es Salaam, Tarzania and didn’t even think about the sport of basketball until he was 15 years old when he would watch the pickup games in the local parks in Tarzania. It was during this time that Hasheem lost his father due to complications from diabetes. When his father passed, Thabeet lost his last name of “Manka” and took his middle name as his last because “once my dad passed, then I’ve got to make a new person,” Thabeet said.

Thank God he chose basketball, because this “new person” had been looking ever so desperately for a job and money to help support his family. So desperately that it led him to become a model at the tender age of 14 bringing in $300 a night and take on the role of a bouncer at a local club to “look scary,” which came easily.

Then there was basketball. Hasheem was not oblivious to his height (6-foot by the age of 10) and knew he had to explore the world of American basketball. He proceeded to purchase 4 hours of internet time in his town library and used that time wisely. Long story short, thank you internet for bringing the Muslim manchild to the states and convert him into a force on the basketball court all in just five years time.

As a freshman at UConn, Thabeet averaged just 24 minutes, 6 PPG and 6 RPG. Being only his fourth year even handling a basketball, I guess you could say he was a little raw. His Sophomore numbers were a little more similar to what a seven-footer should be accustomed to (10.5 PPG, nearly 8 RPG and 5 BPG).

This past season he finally put it all together; defense, offensive efficiency (65% from the field), rebounding (10.9 RPG), shot-blocking (4.3 BPG), and a much improved offensive repertoire (13.5 PPG). His vast improvements earned him the honors of Defensive Player of the Year and Co-Player of the Year in the Big East. The fast-growing game of Thabeet could possibly find its way into the NBA this season as he’s a lottery pick in waiting. His gaudy wingspan and ability to stay on his feet to block shots has NBA scouts drooling. The scouts are also intrigued by how much improvement is still left to be done for “Hash” as his head coach, Jim Calhoun, calls him.

So that brings us to the present. Our boy Hash is right in the middle of one of the greatest sporting events in the world: The Final Four. Not only is he involved, but he is in prime position to lead his team to its third National Championship title in school history (1999 and 2004). First up, he will take on Goran Suton and the Michigan State Spartans in the national semi-final. A victory could set up a very intriguing matchup with First-Team All-American big man, Tyler Hansbrough in the National Championship. So with most of your brackets already in the trash, there’s only one thing left to do: sit back and watch the magic of the Final Four. Enjoy.