DAR ES SALAAM: FORMER NBA lottery pick, Hasheem Thabeet has been elected President of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF), defeating Leonard Haule in a closely contested vote that ushers in a new era for the sport.
Thabeet, a 7-foot-3 centre who became the first Tanzanian drafted into the US’ National Basketball Association, was selected second overall in 2009 by the Memphis Grizzlies.
He went on to feature for the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers, in addition to professional stints in Asia and other international leagues.
Now 38, Thabeet shifts from the hardwood to the boardroom, outlining an ambitious grassroots-driven blueprint aimed at expanding the game beyond traditional urban hubs.
“I want to see basketball played from the grassroots level in schools and by players under 13 and under 18, growing to senior levels,” Thabeet said after his victory.
“This should happen in every part of the nation, not just in the cities, so we can build a strong foundation for the future of Tanzanian basketball.”
His platform centres on youth development structures, nationwide talent identification, coaching education and improved facilities, longstanding pressure points for Tanzanian basketball.
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He also signalled plans to review and modernise the federation’s constitution as part of broader governance reforms.
Alongside Thabeet, Mohamed Kasui was elected Vice-President unopposed.
Fiston Kabinda secured the General Secretary post after defeating Robert Manyerere, while Simon Mirondo was elected Deputy General Secretary.
Thabeet’s election marks a significant moment for Tanzanian sport: A former NBA player returning home to reshape the domestic game from the top down. The challenge now will be translating star power into sustainable systems.