Whiteside puts an end to his recruitment

After a weekend visit to Marshall, Patterson (N.C.) center Hassan Whiteside decided to end his recruitment on the spot. The 6-foot-11 senior committed to the Thundering Herd this weekend.

The intriguing big man claimed a number of high-major offers when Rivals.com spoke to him last month after he shined at the Elite 75 Prep showcase in Charlotte. However, at the end of the day it looked like a two-horse race between Marshall and Charlotte.

Whiteside visited both schools and in the end Donnie Jones and staff won the big man over, says Patterson head coach Chris Chaney.

"Marshall did an excellent job recruiting him. They did everything the right way and really put the pressure on him to commit," Chaney said. "That's the type of kid that Marshall needs to get to get to the place they want to be at. More importantly, I think for Hassan it's a perfect situation because they do a great job of getting players better. I think their type of play is perfect for him. I think he can do really well in it."

Chaney is high on Whiteside's future. While still very raw, Whiteside could develop into a very good player in time, he says.

"With the guys Donnie dealt with at Florida, guys like Joakim Noah and Al Horford, Hassan could be that kind of guy. It's going to take a couple of years but Hassan has that chance to be a very special player," Chaney said. "It's going to take a couple of years of experience and coaching that he needs. The good thing about it is that he loves the game and he's really competitive."