[NEWARK, NJ – January 19, 2018] NBA standout and former East Side High School student athlete, Hassan Whiteside, returned to his high school yesterday to retire his #32 Red Raiders jersey before a packed audience of school administrators, players, cheerleaders, family members and Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra and teammates from the Heat, and representatives of the National Basketball Association. Teammates Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, James Johnson were among those on hand.
Hassan played for East Side during his high school years growing up in Newark, where a great deal of his family continues to live. Hassan said, “I am honored to return to East Side and to the Red Raiders to say thank you and to encourage the players and students to do their best, in sports, in their studies and in their life.” He also thanked Coach Anthony Tavares and Coach Bryant Garvin for their commitment to him and the team during his time at East Side and for their continuing commitment to them today.
Whiteside and the Miami Heat are in the NY/NJ Metropolitan area for their game against the Brooklyn Nets. Earlier this week, Whiteside became the first player in nearly eight years to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks and make 80 percent of his field-goal attempts in a game, since Orlando’s Dwight Howard against the Thunder on Feb. 25, 2011. In that game, Whiteside scored 27 points, had 13 rebounds and blocked six shots while also making 10 of his 12 field-goal attempts.
Dr. Mario Santos, Principal of East Side High School thanked Hassan and his family and coach for their visit to the high school to recognize Hassan’s accomplishments and “to inspire students to be their very best.”