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At the age of 29, Miami Heat big man Hassan Whiteside has already had basketball stints in China and Lebanon. However, his most recent trip overseas had a life-changing impact on him that he will carry for years to come.
Whiteside was a participant in the recently-concluded NBA Africa Game 2018 which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Much like most promotional tours, this trip included several interactions with local communities in its itinerary.
In an interview with Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, Whiteside shared how his experience gave him a brand new perspective on life.
Article Continues Below“Life changing, life changing,” he said, “from building houses with kids, from seeing kids playing basketball, from taking selfies with all the kids around the world. It's a dream come true. I never thought that kids in Africa or anybody in Africa would know my name. It takes me back. It's crazy.”
The soul-searching expedition was perhaps exactly what Whiteside needed at this point in time. After signing a monster contract with the Heat in 2016 to the tune of $98 million for four years, Whiteside immediately paid dividends the succeeding season.
However, his numbers dipped last year, and the North Carolina native was only able to put up 14.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per contest in the 2017-18 season. This was a considerable drop from his 17.0-point, 14.1-rebound, and 2.1-block average output in the year previous.
The decline did not appear to sit well with the Heat, which placed question marks on his once untouchable status. So much so that rumors have surfaced that Whiteside has recently been placed on the trading block by the front office.
Regardless of where Whiteside's career ends up heading, his recent experience in Africa is surely something that he will cherish. It is these kinds of encounters that prove to be turning points in one's life.
