On Hasheem Thabeet's progress from last year to this year:
"I still think he has a little ways to go, because tonight wasn't his best night, offensively. But he did hold (D.J.) White somewhat in check and held everybody else in check. I was trying to think of and I really can't, I've had Emeka Okafor, Travis Knight, these are all NBA centers, Josh Boone, Hilton Armstrong...any progress they made would pale in comparison to a kid who hadn't touched a basketball four years ago. His father was the greatest soccer player in Tanzania history, he has the highest cumulative GPA on the team this year, he is an incredibly bright young guy. His work ethic and what he did this summer to get himself ready, now we are starting to see some of those results. I couldn't be more proud of A.J. (Price) and what he had to overcome, some of it self-imposed and some by nature and we almost lost him. To watch Craig (Austrie), after many times being beat out by Marcus Williams after starting 13 games in a row and going undefeated, make the foul shots (at the end). To watch Sticks play the way he did, every single one of them and the guys on the bench. The spirit on our team was phenomenal, and I have never had anyone make the progress [Thabeet] has. I truly believe, and he is going to do what he is going to do and he may be forced to do something, but if he ever waits another year, he will be the best big man in the country far and away. He will change any game and will be one of the most dominating players in recent memory, in my opinion. Is he going to be Greg Oden? I don't know about that, offensively. But I do know that defensively he is an incredible force just being there and being active."



My own personal opinion----this guy has come on in the last month to where I believe he will be a top 10 if not top 5 NBA lottery pick. He is and will still be raw. But at 7-3 and what he can do in the paint *defensively* just being there changes games. On top fo that his offensive game has started to take off. L:ast year he could barley hold position and catch a ball thrown to him. Add in he is veryt smart again 7-3 and a hard wroker and you have a serious prospect.

Yeah, I like him a lot.

He is certainly someone we could use since we don't have a defensive presence in the middle. I don't mind that he is raw because he seems to be willing to work on his game and do whatever is necessary to become a better basketball player.

I think the dude needs to stay in school. I personally don't see the hoopla. Maybe I need to see him again......