Whiteside is a perfect example of why most college kids need to stay in school

[Mazhude]

http://upsidemotor.com/2015/01/15/hassan-whiteside-emergence-mature-miami-heat-d-league-iowa-energy/

Whiteside is playing exceptionally well, out of seemingly nowhere, for the Heat. He almost never got the chance. After one season at Marshall, where he led the nation in blocked shots, Whiteside was drafted 33rd overall in 2010 by the Sacramento Kings. Despite earning a contract with the Kings, Whiteside was apparently ill-prepared for the transition to the Big Show. Sullen, immature, not strong or quick enough, after two injury-riddled seasons, Whiteside found himself on a basketball odyssey that included stops in China, Lebanon, and multiple visits in the D-League.

Here’s an excerpt from his DraftExpress report coming into the league in 2010:

“Immature is the word you hear most often associated with Whiteside both on and off the court, as there will certainly be a large degree of hand-holding and coddling that whichever team drafts him needs to do in order to help him reach his full potential. There are major questions about his work ethic and intensity level, which is a bit concerning considering how far off he currently is from being able to contribute to an NBA team...”

Now, five years later, he's filled out physically and his work ethic is exceptional. A couple more years of college might (big if, I know) have prepared him better for the rigors of the league...

 

[Cheeky]

Some other kid got his spot 5 years ago. Zero sum game. Maybe the kid who got his spot left early for the draft and blossomed as soon as he was exposed to the professional game.

With these things we tend to look at the obvious flops (Thabeet, for example), and say, "see, this kid should have stayed in school." Our focus is on the top players, not the guys flying just under the radar.

What we often miss is the guy who was a sophomore, who wouldn't have done much better in the draft had he come back to school, who gets drafted early second round, busts his ass, and ends up making a roster.

Call in the Josh Boone effect. Or the Marcus Smart effect.

Staying isn't always the answer, and your stock can drop, and for every guy who leaves too soon and doesn't make it, there is another guy who makes it unexpectedly.

Zero sum game.

 

[Mazhude]

I guess my point is that he was unprepared mentally and physically for the leap to the NBA. Now, five years later, he's bulked up and matured emotionally and he's succeeding. He's a seven-footer, he was always going to get a look coming out of school. Not sure what the rush was after one year of college...

 

[djct1999]

whiteside is in no way the story that college coaches would tell kids to keep them in school. napier is a far better example. stay in school, play exceptionally, then go from most likely being undrafted to the first round with guaranteed money.

 

[Dynasty]

You can't just assume that Whiteside would the guy he is now if he went to college. Too many variables involved.



Besides, it seems like it was getting passed over by the NBA followed by stints in Lebanon, China, and D-League that gave him the chip on his shoulder to hone his skills and grow up. Kudos to him.

 

[Walker11]

Midway through his freshman year, both nbadraft.net and draftexpress had Hassan as their #1 pick overall. And this was a kid we recruited and who (I believe) didn't have the grades. He always had the talent, but was unbelievably immature and got out of shape. Sometimes development doesn't require college, or pros, it requires time.