UConn center Hasheem Thabeet has decided to forego his senior season and will enter the NBA draft.

The 7-foot-3 Tanzania native helped lead the Huskies to the Final Four this season by averaging a team-high 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots per game.

The two-time Big East Conference defensive player of the year has all the intangibles to become a star in the National Basketball League, and will almost certainly be chosen within the top five picks of the draft.

Teams in need of a center that will have high lottery picks include Oklahoma City and Sacramento.

Coach Jim Calhoun expressed confidence in his former player.

“[He is] one of the most dominant defensive players in the history of college basketball,” said the legendaty coach. “I’m sure wherever he ends up in the NBA, he will be equally successful.”