Former Nigeria Basketball Federation board member Olumide Oyedeji has applauded the election of former NBA center Hasheem Thabeet as President of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF).
Oyedeji described the development as a major turning point for basketball growth in the East African nation.
Oyedeji, himself a former NBA player, said Thabeet’s emergence represents a “new dawn” for Tanzanian basketball and reflects a growing global trend of ex-NBA stars returning home to contribute to the sport’s administrative and structural development.
“It is about time for former NBA players to take their talent back home and develop talent,” Oyedeji said.
“This kind of leadership brings more blessings to the country and the wider community.”
Thabeet was elected TBF President following elections held in Dodoma City, conducted in accordance with the federation’s constitutional provisions.
His victory ushers in a new executive leadership team tasked with repositioning basketball in Tanzania.
Alongside Thabeet, Mohamed Haruna Kasui was elected Vice President, Fiston Kabinda emerged as Secretary General, while Simon Joe Mirondo will serve as Deputy General Secretary.
Born Hashim Thabit Manka on February 16, 1987, Thabeet rose to international prominence during his college career with the UConn Huskies before being selected second overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. That historic pick made him the first Tanzanian-born player to feature in the NBA.
Although his NBA career attracted mixed reviews—particularly because he was drafted ahead of future MVPs James Harden and Stephen Curry—Thabeet still carved out a respectable professional journey. He played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
During his rookie season in Memphis, Thabeet recorded a season-high five blocks in December 2009. He also became the tallest and highest-drafted player at the time to be assigned to the NBA Development League, featuring for the Dakota Wizards before earning a recall.
His most notable NBA outing came in 2012 with Oklahoma City, where he posted his first career double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds in a commanding win over Charlotte.
Currently plying his trade with Dar City in the Basketball Africa League, Thabeet now transitions from the paint to the presidency, adding administrative leadership to his on-court résumé.
For Oyedeji and other stakeholders across the continent, Thabeet’s elevation goes beyond personal achievement.
“It signals a broader shift in African basketball,” Oyedeji noted, “where former stars are returning home to strengthen domestic structures, nurture grassroots talent and position their nations more competitively on the global stage.”
With his election, Thabeet joins a distinguished list of former NBA players who have assumed leadership roles in basketball governance worldwide, including Andrei Kirilenko (Russia), Jorge Garbajosa (Spain), Yao Ming (China), Hedo Turkoglu (Turkey), Radoslav Nesterovic (Slovenia), Sam Dalembert (Haiti), Luol Deng (South Sudan) and Nikola Pekovic (Montenegro).
Observers believe Thabeet’s experience, global exposure and stature within the game could prove pivotal as Tanzania seeks to build sustainable basketball structures and elevate its profile on the African and international stage.
