DAR ES SALAAM - Every mention of Tanzanian basketball on the international scene brings memories of former Memphis Grizzlies big man Hasheem Thabeet who also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets in the NBA.

The 2.21m tall giant, who was born in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam, became the first native of the country to play in the NBA after being selected with the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

That it was received amidst celebrations in his hometown could be treated as an understatement seven years down the road. 

The East African nation is yet to produce another NBA player but Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) President John Bandiye has told FIBA.com that effort is being put into mentoring a host of young players across the country.

"We have launched some youth programmes across the country in primary schools to make sure that young girls and boys start playing basketball at a very young age," Bandiye explained.

Just like Thabeet, the current crop of basketball players in Tanzania started playing the game at the age of 15, almost a decade after most of the elite nations introduce the game to young ones. 

"It is important for us to have them start at an early age because then they learn the fundaments of basketball at an early stage," Bandiye added.

TBF is also benefitting from the ongoing Junior NBA League that was launched last year with hundreds of players, between the ages of 12 and 14, from 30 schools across Dar es Salaam representing all the NBA teams. 

These young children learn more about the hoops game from basketball clinics for both boys and girls at the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Youth Park located in the centre of Dar es Salaam and easily accessible for youth players to express themselves on court.  

Meanwhile, Tanzania boasts several players plying their trade in neighbouring countries most notably in Uganda and Kenya where the national leagues are more competitive than back home.

Shooting guard Sudi Ulanga - who went to Kenyan elite basketball school Laiser Hill, moved to Uganda where his career took off as he played for the UCU Canons, Power and now for KIU Titans - believes that it is a good platform to nurture his game.

Henry Mwinuka, Naftal Msogoti, Maige Yunzu, Ladislus Ikungura and now Fadhili Chuma are among the many players that have benefitted from basketball scholarships in Ugandan universities while competing at the high level in the topflight league, a feat that ultimately hands more exposure to the national team players. 

With the patience of a saint, Bandiye is hoping this will in the long run shine more light on Tanzanian basketball and perhaps several more Thabeets out there. 

FIBA