Recruiting Report: Nasir Whitlock (2023)
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When I asked DeLaSalle/Gain Elite 2023 point guard Nasir Whitlock Nasir Whitlock 6'2" | PG Delasalle | 2023 State MN what separates him he simply said “I am a winner”. The proof? Just look at the DeLaSalle Islander 2021-22 season…
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Continue ReadingWhen I asked DeLaSalle/Gain Elite 2023 point guard Nasir Whitlock Nasir Whitlock 6'2" | PG Delasalle | 2023 State MN what separates him he simply said “I am a winner”.
The proof? Just look at the DeLaSalle Islander 2021-22 season with the following bullet point timeline:
- The Islanders lost five games with Cash Chavis and Randy McClendon (16 games), they lost three after the two sophomores were no longer on the team with Whitlock taking even more of the playmaking/scoring role (14 games).
- Whitlock increased his scoring average from 18.8 to 26.2 points a game with the sophomores no longer on the team.
- The Islanders won the section handing South St. Paul their first loss of the season.
- DeLaSalle finished second in the state falling to Totino-Grace in the state title game.
- Amir was named Class AAA First Team All State
So yes I would say Whitlock’s a winner. And then some.
“I would want coaches recruiting me to know that I am a winner and will do what it takes to win. That I have the ability both make my teammates better and create for myself. That my impact on the game is bigger than my size. That I am a good student.”
Whitlock has joined with CJ O’Hara CJ O’Hara 6'4" | SF Park Center | 2023 State #285 Nation MN , JJ Ware JJ Ware 6'6" | SF Park Center | 2023 State MN , Maxsamus Wilson Maxsamus Wilson 6'3" | CG Hopkins | 2023 State MN , and the rest of the Gain Elite squad to go 13-7 this year facing a tough schedule.
“As a team, we have been playing pretty well,” Nasir said. “We have had some injuries so we haven’t been at full strength all the time but we have won 9 out of our last 10 games plus beat some really good teams. Individually it has been a really good Spring. I feel like I have been consistent and improved a lot already. I have grown some and gotten stronger too.”
And this is coming off that memorable run pushing the Islanders to their first state title game in three years.
“I thought my Junior year went pretty well. We came up one game short of our state championship goal but the season was good. We lost some players in the middle of the year so for me individually my role changed and I had to show more of my game. Teams came in to shut me down so it was a fun challenge to try to produce while the defense was focused on me. I really enjoyed playing with my teammates on that team too. We came together and had a good season.”
Whitlock is one of the toughest players in Minnesota to defend individually as his ability to separate as well as his ability to use a ball screen ranks with the best. Nasir is a top ten player in Minnesota’s senior class and is looking to get even better.
“I want to focus on getting stronger and being a more physical defender. Maybe getting more steals. I really enjoy working on my game and improving.”
As for recruiting, a variety of schools have been in contact with Whitlock about a college basketball future.
“Lehigh, DePaul, Boston U, Michigan, Dartmouth, Princeton, Harvard, Arkansas, Appalachian State, Oklahoma State, schools like that,” Whitlock said about when we asked about his recruitment. “I’m working on visits to Lehigh, Michigan, DePaul, Harvard schools like that.”
Whitlock’s father Sean played at Minnesota and St. Cloud State while his brother Amir currently plays for Navy.
Nasir Whitlock has added an offer from Lehigh! Highlights of the 2023 point guard at #PHBattleAtTheLakes @ShiftyWhitlock pic.twitter.com/Csb9SwkqLG
— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) May 16, 2022