STORRS, Conn. — Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet has decided to enter the NBA draft.

The 7-foot-3 center said Tuesday that he made the decision after speaking to family, friends and coach Jim Calhoun.

In a statement released by the school, Calhoun called Thabeet "one of the most dominant defensive players in the history of college basketball," and said he believes he is ready to make the move to the NBA.

Thabeet, a two-time defensive player of the year in the Big East, averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots per game in helping the Huskies to a 31-5 record and a Final Four berth.