Player Profile Hassan Whiteside C Miami Heat
Hassan Whiteside is quickly becoming a unique story in the NBA. In a league where big men come at a premium and are often scouted and observed sometimes even before they enter high school, Hassan Whiteside is showing the world that he can be a productive and solid center on an NBA team.
Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat just finished defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles 104-90. Whiteside, who came off the bench, was matched up against one of the most productive and athletic centers in the NBA, DeAndre Jordan. DeAndre Jordan finished the game and played 32 minutes, scored 4 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, committed 4 fouls, and got hit with a technical foul because he couldn’t comprehend how a virtually unknown journeyman center named Hassan Whiteside not only outplayed him, but embarrassed him.
Hassan Whiteside played 28 minutes, scored a career high 23 points, grabbed a career high 16 rebounds, and had two swats, and two steals.
What? Who? How?
In the postgame interview Hassan Whiteside was interviewed by Sun Sports’ Jason Jackson and was asked how he was able to have such a large impact on the game against one of the top centers in the league. Whitened stated that he is playing with a chip on his shoulder because no team in the NBA gave him an opportunity, especially the Los Angeles Clippers and Doc Rivers who wouldn’t even grant Whiteside a workout. Whitened played angry and upset and used his past frustration and disappointment as motivation to not only show the Clippers they they missed out someone who could help their team, but to show the entire NBA they also missed out on something special.
Whiteside has already overcome a lot in his career including dealing with weight problems, and playing in the minor league and all over the world. Whiteside has played in Lebanon and China and performed well overseas before eventually getting invited back to the United States to play in the NBA Development League. Whitesidewas then signed by the Memphis Grizzlies, but then released shortly after. The Miami Heat and their scouting team of NBA legend Bob McAdoo and others saw potential in Whiteside and signed him two a two year contract.
The Miami Heat, who were lacking healthy big bodies, have given Whiteside meaningful minutes and he has shown agility, coordination, and athleticism that many big man just do not possess.
Hassan Whiteside is a great example of a basketball player who has dealt with rejection for much of his professional career, but did not give up. Whiteside used the negativity and frustration to continue to get himself in shape, and work on the fundamentals of his game. Hassan Whiteside is 7’0 foot 265 pound giant who has managed to be overlooked by all of the so-called expert scouts in the NBA, is on a mission to prove that he belongs.
Contributing writer Jasen Sousa for Premier Hoops is the author of a number of poetry and fiction books for young people. Jasen has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and is a life-long participant and fan of the game of basketball.