“I was very inspired by the [African] guys who played …
Thabeet, Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Olowokandi and Joel Embiid are the only Africans selected in the top three picks in NBA draft history. Thabeet is also the only East African to play in the NBA. “I was very inspired by the [African] guys who played before me,” Thabeet said.
“Rest in peace to the great Dikembe Mutombo and many more that I’ve met in settings like Basketball Without Borders, Giants of Africa with Masai [Ujiri], NBA Africa with Amadou [Fall]. I’ll go to these meetings and then they look at me like, ‘Man, you made it. ’ And then I’m like, ‘Man, what if I played in the NBA for 20 years?
Then these kids will think I’m a basketball god with what I’ve done just a few years in the pros. ’ But they’re looking at me [positively]? I got to keep going.
” Andscape This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “I was very inspired by the [African] guys who played …