by By LARRY YOUNG, JONATHAN FEIGEN, Houston Chronicle , The Houston Chronicle

Monday: Area players

Today: Centers

Wednesday: Forwards

Thursday: Guards/mock draft

Growing up in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Hasheem Thabeet never thought of playing basketball .

The NBA was never his dream. His first love was soccer. To him, basketball looked more physical, so he avoided it even though coaches wanted him to play.

When his father died, Thabeet, then 13, told his mother he would provide for the family. By age 15, he stood 6-8 with broad shoulders.

It was then he decided to play basketball. And the sport is about to become his trade.

"I've come a long way," Thabeet, 7-3, said during the NBA's predraft combine in Chicago. "I went to three high schools and ended up at UConn. I came in the country at the age of 13. It really has been a tough road for me."

Thabeet's international road to the NBA took a turn through Houston, where he played his senior season at Cypress Christian School after stops at high schools in California and Mississippi.

He was sought by Cincinnati, Texas A&M and Louisville before signing with the University of Connecticut.

"I knew athletics could be a way for me to provide for my family," he said.

The sacrifices he made - relocating to a new country, being forced to learn a new culture - were immense. Fear and loneliness were his constant companions.

But as difficult as the journey was, the rewards are about to make it all worthwhile.

As the nation's top-rated big man, Thabeet has met with Memphis officials on several occasions in preparation for Thursday's draft. The Grizzlies hold the second pick, one behind the Los Angeles Clippers, who appear to be locked in on Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin.

Beast in Big East

Last season, Thabeet averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots per game and was named co-Big East player of the year. Some NBA general managers think he will have similar success as a pro.

"He has an ability that's in short supply in basketball: to block and alter shots," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "He's a defensive presence."

Some projections have Thabeet going No. 2 to the Grizzlies; others have Memphis selecting Arizona State guard James Harden or Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio.

If that happens, Thabeet is still likely to be drafted in the top five.

"When people cross that foul line, they're looking for him," Wallace said. "In today's game with the defensive rules, no matter how good of a defender your perimeter players are, you're going to give up dribble penetration. Thabeet gives you someone on the back line who can deal with that dribble penetration."

Needs offensive game

The book on Thabeet is that he's a raw talent with tremendous upside. If he can establish an offensive presence, average consistent rebounding numbers and play in the post, he'll be well worth the No. 2 pick.

And if he does so, he'll add his name to the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo - two other elite African centers with Houston ties.

"I know how much work I have to do, because it's not just enough to block shots and play defense," Thabeet said. "I want to be a winner in the NBA, and I want to play for a champion."

larry.young@chron.com

TOP CENTER PROSPECTS

Hasheem Thabeet 7-2 267 Connecticut

Comment: An elite shot-blocker, Thabeet could be the only center taken in the top 10. He is limited offensively, with questions about his hands raising doubts about his ability to improve on that end, but he can control a game defensively.

B.J. Mullens 7-0 258 Ohio State

Comment: Has excellent size, strength and hands but might have been well-served to play one more year of college basketball. Ohio State's third consecutive one-and-done center, Mullens has good offensive skills but lacks polish. Though talented, he remains a project, especially defensively.

Luke Nevill 7-1 265 Utah

Comment: Nevill uses his outstanding size well, but he is not aggressive and lacks agility. Though he has good offensive skills, he does not have a strong feel for his offensive game.

Goran Suton 6-10 245 Michigan State

Comment: Suton had a strong NCAA Tournament, showing good offensive skills. He had a relatively limited role in the Michigan State offense. Good strength and an outside shooting touch might make him a worthwhile project.

Josh Heytvelt 6-11 260 Gonzaga

Comment: Athleticism and offensive skills could make him a solid, perimeter-oriented center. He might need to add strength to defend centers, but he would not want to lose quickness, particularly if he is used at forward.

JONATHAN FEIGEN

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