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One of the first things Kenny Atkinson discussed at his introductory press conference was having pride in Brooklyn. 'Brooklyn is basketball' he said. Interesting enough, through four seasons in Brooklyn, the Nets have never had a player from Brooklyn play for the organization.
Now, however, with Isaiah Whitehead declaring for the NBA Draft, we ask if the Nets would/can take a chance on the Brooklynite from Seton Hall. Whitehead, 21, is a 6'5" shooting guard from Lincoln High School, which also produced Stephon Marbury, Lance Stephenson and Sebastian Telfair. He averaged 18.2 points and five assists in his Sophomore year at Seton Hall and was the Big East Tournament's most oustanding player.
NetsDaily's own Dexter Henry spoke with a source close to the situation last week who left little doubt about where he'd want to wind up.
Source told me Whitehead would love to play in BK and says it "would be a dream" to play at home.
— Dexter Henry (@NetsDailyVideo) May 21, 2016
And Whitehead thought his interview with Sean Marks et al at the Pre-Draft Combine went well.
Interview with Brooklyn went well. Nets are very interested and would take him if he is there in the 2nd round.
— Dexter Henry (@NetsDailyVideo) May 21, 2016
Do the Nets have a pick high enough for Whitehead? DraftExpress has him at No. 58, just below where the Nets currently pick at No. 55. Chad Ford has him at No. 51. But projections on Whitehead run the gamut with some thinking he could sneak into the first round. He is a big game player and a solid passer -- Fran Fraschilla thinks other than Ben Simmons, he's the best in the draft -- but he lacks athleticism, has been inconsistent and did have some personality issues at the Hall, although those seem to have passed.
Zach Braziller, the Post reporter who's close to the Whitehead family, writes Wednesday that the Nets are supposedly "very interested" in Whitehead, but do not own a high enough pick to nab him... yet.