Hasheem Thabeet is a Tanzanian professional basketball player who last played for the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League. He played college basketball for Connecticut before being selected second overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.  He's been plagued with injuries throughout his professional career, but he hopes to get one more shot at the Association. He has one condition, though.

From Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated:

Would you do the D-League again?

With the work I’ve put in, I feel like I need to go somewhere [else], not to downplay the D-League. When I play [in the D-League], I feel like some guys weren’t locked in. They weren’t locked in or they don’t take it seriously, like I did.

Former teammate Kevin Durant had high praise for the 7-footer:

“Hasheem knows that no one feels sorry for him, so he’s not feeling sorry for himself,” Durant told The Undefeated. “He’s one of the hardest workers and by far one of the best people that I know. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had.

“He’ll get a shot again. He’s being patient. Rim protectors always come back around. He’ll get a shot.”

If he continues to work hard, there will definitely be a spot for him in the NBA.  He's experienced more than his fair share of ups and downs and knows how to keep his head in the right place.

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Thabeet had this to say regarding his last days in the NBA:

I was traded to Philly [from the Thunder], then waived. I’m like, ‘What happened?’ I’m kind of down, feeling down. I just went home [to Oklahoma City], I was just hanging at home, you know. After I went through it, I go to Detroit training camp. Did great at training camp, and then before preseason games going, before game one, they bring in Joel Anthony, who wasn’t even in camp.

I was like, ‘What? I was here the whole time.’ I was so hard on myself that I wanted to go back to Tanzania. If I go back home, I can still live great. I’m already doing well for myself. I have businesses going on. I can go back home, and live and be great. I’m like, ‘Man, I’m too young. Learn the game.’ I love the game. I love my teammates. Even when I wasn’t playing I would hang out with Kevin. We would talk about all the games. I’m in it, but I’m not in it. I’m having all kinds of struggles over there, and one day I’m like, ‘I’m still here watching these games those guys they are playing. I can compete with these guys.’

Thabeet's definitely been on an emotional roller coaster throughout his NBA career, but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel if he continues to work and accept new challenges.