African center will visit another Big East program
There is one last big recruiting battle left in the class of 2006 and it's about to take another twist.
HaSheem Thabeet, a 7-foot-2, 250-pound center from Cypress Community Christian in Houston, recently scheduled a second official visit to a Big East school.
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"HaSheem is heading to Cincinnati next weekend," Cypress Community coach Mark McClanahan said.
Thabeet, who is from Tanzania, has narrowed down his long list of suitors to Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville and Miami, which have all offered scholarships according to McClanahan. Thabeet made his only other official visit to UConn.
"He hasn't scheduled any other visits, but the amount of phone calls we are getting is crazy," McClanahan said.
Thabeet's biggest obstacle left in the recruiting process lies in the classroom. He is on the verge of reaching academic requirements.
"He's right on the border right now," McClanahan said. "But, we finish up finals tomorrow and as long as his GPA stays where it should he will qualify."
Thabeet averaged 13.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and four blocks a game this past season. McClanahan believes that production is only a glimpse of what the big man is capable of at the college level.
"HaSheem improved a ton throughout this past season," he said. "In March he was very raw, but his best attribute is probably his work ethic. He practices hard and is really into the game.