Despite last playing in the NBA in the 2013-2014 season, former number two overall pick of the 2009 draft, Hasheem Thabeet is confident he could make a return to the league.

The 7-foot-3 center last played professionally for the Grand Rapids Drive of the D-League early last year after spending the previous two with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although reports surfaced that he was worked out by some teams during the summer, nothing materialized and he continues to be a free agent.

With the lack of interest he generated from scouts and teams, his potential return to the NBA is still up in the air. This development has shocked Thabeet because he knows what he can bring to a team that signs him. Per Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders:

“I was kind of shocked I didn’t get called up, but it was a situation that I couldn’t control. What I could control was being consistent, continuing to work hard and enjoying myself while I was there. It was great to get an opportunity to compete. I have fun being out on the court and letting my presence be felt, trying to dominate on the defensive end. I wanted to show that I can defend at any cost. With the systems now, I won’t be out there trying to be the best scorer or anything; there are other players whose job it is to do that. I’m finding ways to impact the game.”

The Connecticut product takes pride in the way he plays defense and made it clear that he will reclaim what he believes was his before.

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Other players who were not able to keep their roster spot in the league usually take their talents to the D-League or sign overseas, but Thabeet opted not to play professional basketball. Instead, he remained in the gym to improve his conditioning and continue improving his game. He is only focused on one thing now, and that is to make it back to the NBA.

“The goal is to make it back to the NBA, so I’ll do whatever it is going to take for me to get accepted by a team. Whatever it takes for me to get back, I’ll do it. The goal is to focus on the NBA right now and I feel I can actually say from my heart that I have worked hard enough this summer to stay over here [rather than go overseas].”

“My offseason has been great. I worked so hard. Physically, I worked on my body and I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been. I’ve gotten stronger, I’m running better and I worked a ton on my game. I did a lot of reps – hitting left and right hook shots comfortably. It was great. Mentally, I’m in a great place too. I’m way more confident and comfortable now because I’ve learned to work harder and focus more. I know what I need to do while I’m out there, but I also watch film, work on my body and things like that. I’m in the best shape of my life. At first, I was just taller than everyone else and it was almost like I was playing off of adrenaline rush – just young and out there and feeling like so much was coming my way. That’s not the case anymore. I’ve progressed a lot. I’m more mature when it comes the game.”

In order to shed off the “bust” label on him, Thabeet not only needs to talk about the difference in his game now compared to before, he needs a chance to showcase it and play at the highest level once again. If he gets signed by an NBA team is anybody's guess at this point, but given his size, shot-blocking ability, and determination to make a successful comeback, it won't be an impossible goal.