Oyedeji hails Thabeet’s election as Tanzania Basketball President
Former Nigerian NBA star and FIBA ambassador Olumide Oyedeji has labelled the election of Hasheem Thabeet as President of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) a “turning point” for the sport
Former Nigerian NBA star and FIBA ambassador Olumide Oyedeji has labelled the election of Hasheem Thabeet as President of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) a "turning point" for the sport in East Africa.
Oyedeji, a former board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, noted that Thabeet’s victory reinforces a vital trend: former NBA stars returning home to lead their national administrative bodies.
“It is about time for former players to take their talent back home,” Oyedeji said. “Thabeet’s leadership will bring immense blessings to his country and community.”
The election, held in Dodoma City, saw the 7ft 3in centre take the helm alongside a new executive team including Mohamed Haruna Kasui(Vice President); Fiston Kabinda (Secretary General) and Simon Joe Mirondo(Deputy General Secretary).
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Thabeet, who currently plays for Dar City in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), is now transitioning from the paint to the boardroom. He joins an elite global circle of former NBA players turned administrators, including Yao Ming (China), Andrei Kirilenko (Russia), and Luol Deng (South Sudan).
Born Hashim Thabit Manka, Thabeet’s rise remains one of the most significant stories in African sports. After a dominant college career with the UConn Huskies, he was selected 2nd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies—becoming the first Tanzanian player to ever reach the league.
While his NBA tenure is often debated due to being drafted ahead of stars like James Harden and Stephen Curry, Thabeet’s impact was undeniable. He remains one of the tallest players in league history, recording notable stints with the Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Oklahoma City Thunder, where he famously posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double against Charlotte in 2012.
For Oyedeji, who also serves as the scribe for the World Olympians Association, Thabeet’s elevation represents a broader shift in African basketball.
“This is about strengthening domestic structures and nurturing grassroots talent,” Oyedeji emphasized. “By returning home, these stars are positioning their nations to compete more aggressively on the global stage.”
