Over the last few seasons Hassan Whiteside proved that he belonged in the NBA, but is he overrated?
The history of Hassan Whiteside is an interesting story, to say the least. It all began in 2009, where Hassan was the 20th ranked center in ESPN’s high school prospects list.
Side note: the 2009 high school class produced DeMarcus Cousins and Mason Plumlee.
Whiteside spent one year at Marshall and then decided to declare for the NBA draft in 2010.
His reasoning to leave early was stated in a pre-draft interview with Warriors.com reporter Jim Barnett. Whiteside stated that “The culture left and I think I could help my mom out.” (The interview I am referencing:
In the 2010 NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Whiteside in the second round with the 33rd overall pick.
(This pick did not make any sense for the Kings because they had just drafted DeMarcus Cousins. I have a bone to pick with Vlade Divac but that is for another day.)
After the 2011-12 season, the Kings ultimately let Whiteside walk because he was not playing well; he was emotional and lazy.