Hasheem Thabeet to Be Inducted into ‘Huskies of Honor’ as UConn’s Defensive Legacy Grows
UConn’s storied basketball tradition is adding another name to its wall of legends. On February 14, Hasheem Thabeet - the towering 7-foot-3 rim protector who anchored the Huskies’ defense from 2006 to 2009 - will officially be inducted into the Huskies of Honor.
The announcement came Thursday afternoon, just hours after current UConn standouts Silas Demary Jr. and Tarris Reed Jr. were named finalists for the national Defensive Player of the Year Award. Talk about a well-timed reminder of the program’s defensive pedigree.
Thabeet’s enshrinement is more than a ceremonial nod - it’s a recognition of one of the most dominant defensive presences in college basketball during the late 2000s. A two-time national Defensive Player of the Year, Thabeet was a force in the paint from the moment he arrived in Storrs.
Over 100 career games (99 starts), he averaged 10.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and an eye-popping 4.2 blocks per game. That’s not just good - that’s game-changing.
He led the Big East in blocks all three seasons he played, a feat that speaks to both his consistency and his sheer intimidation factor around the rim. Offensively, he took a leap in his junior year, averaging 13.6 points per game, and helped lead the Huskies all the way to the Final Four before falling to Michigan State. That 2008-09 squad was a powerhouse, and Thabeet was its defensive backbone.
While his NBA career never reached the same heights - the Memphis Grizzlies took him second overall in the 2009 Draft - his impact at the college level was undeniable. Thabeet spent parts of five seasons in the league with the Grizzlies, Rockets, Trail Blazers, and Thunder, but couldn’t quite replicate his college dominance, finishing with career averages of 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game.
Still, his legacy at UConn is secure. Thabeet now joins an elite group of Huskies legends in the Huskies of Honor, a who's who of program greats that includes names like Ray Allen, Kemba Walker, Emeka Okafor, Caron Butler, and Richard Hamilton. It’s a collection that not only celebrates individual excellence but also tells the story of UConn’s rise as a national powerhouse.
And it’s not just the men making headlines in Storrs. The UConn women’s team continues to roll, improving to a perfect 22-0 after a dominant win over Xavier on Wednesday night.
Before that game, Aaliyah Edwards was honored with her own induction into the Huskies of Honor - a fitting tribute to one of the program’s most consistent stars in recent years. The women are back in action Sunday when they host No.
15 Tennessee, a matchup steeped in history and tradition.
Elsewhere on campus, two Huskies football alums are making NFL scouts take notice. Quarterback Joe Fagnano and wide receiver Skyler Bell recently suited up in the East-West Shrine Game, and Fagnano in particular drew praise for his performance. Bell, a 2025 All-American, is widely projected to be selected in this year’s NFL Draft and could be the next UConn product to make waves at the next level.
But for now, the spotlight is on Hasheem Thabeet - a shot-blocking giant who left an indelible mark on UConn hoops. His name will soon hang in the rafters alongside the greats, a reminder of the defensive foundation that continues to define Huskies basketball.