A hometown basketball hero is the borough’s newest big-leaguer.
The Brooklyn Nets scooped up Coney Island Native and Abraham Lincoln standout Isaiah Whitehead in the second round of the National Basketball Association draft on June 23. The Nets picked up the borough son — the first to play for the team — 42nd after trading the Utah Jazz its No. 55 pick and some cash. Whitehead is beyond excited.
“I mean, that’s everything,” Whitehead said. “Just to be able to wear that Brooklyn uniform across my chest, it would be an amazing accomplishment, and I can’t wait for it.”
Whitehead worked out for a handful of teams prior to the draft — including the Nets and Knicks — but said he felt a strong connection with his hometown squad.
The 6-foot-4 combo guard met with the team two days before the draft and had a good feeling that the Nets would be calling his name, but even Whitehead didn’t expect Brooklyn to trade up 13 spots in order to select him.
“They liked me since I was in school, so it’s not a surprise that they picked me, but it’s definitely a blessing,” he said. “Me and my friends and my family are really, really happy at this moment and we’re going to try to just enjoy the night.”
It’s easy to assume that playing for his hometown team would weigh heavily on Whitehead, but he doesn’t see it that way — he played at the Barclays Center in high school and college, and last year he led Seton Hall to a Big East championship for the first time since 1993.
“It’s just basketball, and I’m good at it,” he said. “I’m going to just try to take it by storm and really just play well for Brooklyn. I mean, I played here in high school, I’ve played across the bridge in Seton Hall, so it’s really not far away. It’s just about being about your business and taking care of what you’ve got to take care of.”
Whitehead hoped to be a first-round pick, but the opportunity to play for the Nets quickly quelled any disappointment. The struggling program has a young roster and needs back-court muscle. Those factors position Whitehead to quickly make a name for himself — something he is anxious to do. He’s also got a familiar face ready to work with him – Bronx native and 2015 first-round Nets pick Chris McCullough.
Whitehead’s game isn’t perfect — even he said he needs to work on his jump shot — but he’s determined to get better. After all, he’s got to make his hometown proud.
“If they need me to be on the bench cheering, then that’s what I’ve got to do. If they need me to play and produce, that’s what I’ve got to do. It’s a job now, so you’ve got to go to work every day and take care of business.”
