UConn Junior Thabeet Entering MLS Draft

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – After much speculation, University of Connecticut junior Hasheem Thabeet announced today that he would be declaring for Major League Soccer draft eligibility.

The 7’3″ basketball star, after leading his team to the NCAA men’s semifinals, decided to forgo a career in the NBA and instead play his childhood sport professionally in the U.S.

“Where will I be drafted? 140th? 179th? You don’t really know until draft day,” Thabeet said to reporters today.

The junior was projected as a top 3 pick in the NBA draft.

UConn coach Jim Calhoun called Thabeet “one of the most dominating centers in the history of college basketball,” referring to his prolific rebounding and shot blocking. But, he added, “I’m sure he’ll be a good bench warmer in the MLS.”

Lottery picks in the NBA draft average starting salaries of $20-23 million (about $5 million a year). In the struggling American soccer league, the top players make around $2 million per annum.

“I’m not in it for the money,” said Thabeet. “I’m in it for the high injury risk and low rate of return.”

Thabeet has not played soccer since he was in elementary school in Tanzania, when he was 2 feet shorter than he is now. But he’s not worried about losing his skills.

“I’m sure it’s just like riding a samjyug,” he said, referring to the Tanzanian word for “giant centipede.” “It’ll come back to me.”

2 thoughts on “UConn Junior Thabeet Entering MLS Draft”

  1. Follow up article: “UConn Recruits Former Child Star Gary Coleman to Replace Thabeet”

    “Well, I never did go to college,” reports Coleman, “and UConn’s trying a new tactic this year. They’re thinking that most of the players on opposing teams can’t actually reach low enough to steal the ball from me. Plus, I’ve got mad game.”

    Reply
  2. I think So.. I belong to PFC and they always stress that they have a very little pre-sale tickets to offer its members. So basically if you buy regular tickets withing a few days you shoul dhave no problem. I am going to their show in nj on the 16th.. i hope you have a blast. Hayley is awesome live

    Reply

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