Thieben is a native of Suffolk County, New York, and attended Sayville High School from 1948 to 1952. On February 26, 1952, he scored a school record 48 points in a game against Northport (record since tied). Sayville won the contest, 85–66.\n', '

He decided to stay close to home when he went to college and enrolled at nearby Hofstra University. Due to NCAA rules at the time, freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports. Thieben, therefore, had to play for the school\'s freshman team. 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.\n', '

In 1953–54, his sophomore year, he became eligible to play. 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. He played in 24 games that season and averaged 24.6 points and 25.8 rebounds per game. That rebounding average is the 11th-highest in Division II history. 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. Look magazine named him an All-American at the end of the season.\n', '

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