Former UConn head coach Jim Calhoun spent Valentine’s Day evening at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., on Saturday night, there to share the love with one of his former players.

Hasheem Thabeet (2006-09) stood flanked by Calhoun as they traded some heartfelt memories and appreciation for each other -- with a bit of humor thrown in -- as Thabeet was inducted into the Huskies of Honor club.

“It is my pleasure to introduce a special basketball player, special person and a man I clearly look up to,” Calhoun quipped, his arm around the 7-foot-3 Thabeet.

“Most importantly, former Big East Player of the Year. His three years here were as special as could possibly be. He and Mek (Emeka Okafor), the two greatest shot blockers I ever coached and two of the greatest people. And you haven't seen him go from the day he came on here -- and I called him some nice words just to get his attention -- and now I say very sincerely one of the greatest players ever in UConn history.”

After Calhoun’s words, Thabeet’s No. 34 was unveiled, hanging next to that of No. 4 Ben Gordon (2001-04) with the Huskies.

“For me it feels like two or three years ago when I played here,” said Thabeet, who turns 39 on Monday. “I'm very happy to be part of this. A lot of great names played here. You know, to get a chance to play with great guys like Kemba [Walker], [A.J.] Price, Jerome [Dyson] and everybody else.

“Playing for coach, a lot of great times. A lot of ups and downs. You help me grow up to be who I am today, so I want to say thanks to you, thanks to the organization and thanks to everybody that comes here -- a lot of you guys. Husky forever, baby.”

Thabeet became the 24th person inducted into the Huskies of Honor. He ranks second (417) in school history in blocked shots to Okafor (441) and twice was named national Defensive Player of the Year. He was a second-team All-American and the Big East Player of the Year in 2009.

When he was selected No. 2 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft for the Memphis Grizzlies, he joined Okafor in being the highest draft pick in program history. The Charlotte Bobcats selected Okafor with that same pick in the 2004 draft.

Thabeet, a native of Tanzania, spent five seasons in the NBA, playing for Memphis, the Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

He appeared in 224 games (20 starts) and averaged 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds over 10.5 minutes per game.

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