[2] Hofstra was classified as a Division II institution when he first entered college, but Thieben went on to have one of the greatest all-around basketball careers in NCAA history, regardless of classification.

Standing at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) tall and weighing 215 pounds, Thieben is considered the first "big man" in Hofstra basketball history.

[5] In Thieben's junior season (1954–55), he went on to average a career high 29.2 points and 24.4 rebounds in 26 games played.

In 26 games played, he averaged 26.9 points and 24.2 rebounds en route to a third consecutive All-Metropolitan area selection.

[1] After a standout college career, Thieben was selected in the 1956 NBA draft by the Fort Wayne Pistons.

[6] Fort Wayne finished in third place in the Western Division with a 34–38 overall record, but did advance to the first round of the playoffs.

[1] In addition to his teaching and administrative roles at the high school level, Thieben also served as an adjunct professor of history and sociology at Suffolk Community College, Long Island University C.W.

Post Campus and Long Island University, and as a professor of secondary education at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue.