"We are extremely excited about Hassan's attitude, athleticism and future," Jones said. "He's a very long, very agile player who will fit perfectly into our style of play.
"Hassan comes from a great family, one that we're pleased to welcome into our family here at Marshall."
Hassan Whiteside averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5.5 blocked shots per game last season at East Side High School in Newark, N.J. The 2008-09 season will mark his first at The Patterson School, the North Carolina-based prep school that has produced two other current Thundering Herd players (Tirrell Baines and Marcus Goode) since Jones took over at Marshall in the spring of 2007.
Scout.com (who Herd Insider is affiliated with) said this of Whiteside: "His basketball career is in its infancy stages. Relatively new to the game. Tremendous length and shot blocking ability which comes naturally. He's a long term stock who may need a redshirt year to put the pieces together. Super natural ability, especially on defense. Offense is all new to him and he shows flashes. Laced with raw materials."
Whiteside also received recruiting interest from Kentucky, N.C. State, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Xavier, Charlotte, Auburn and Nevada (NOTE: Hassan pronounced huh-SAUN).