Hasheem Thabeet Sent to the D-League

Hasheem “The Dream” became the highest draft pick ever to be demoted down to the minors: “The Griz acknowledged then that Thabeet was a project, and more confirmation came Thursday. Thabeet, a 7-footer out of Connecticut, is the highest NBA draft pick ever assigned to the NBA’s Development League. Thabeet will join the Grizzlies’ D-League affiliate, the Dakota Wizards, today before their game in Erie, Pa. The decision to send Thabeet to the D-League came just a few days after Griz coach Lionel Hollins announced that undrafted center Hamed Haddadi would get the backup minutes behind starter Marc Gasol. Before Wednesday’s victory over Washington, Thabeet seemed unfazed by his benching. ‘Me being the No. 2 pick doesn’t mean I have to go and contribute right away,’ Thabeet said. ‘There’s a reason they drafted me. I just have to work hard, get better and then one day be able to answer the call.”‘