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COLLEGE REPORT: Whitaker gets his game at Assembly Hall
BLOOMINGTON – Brody Whitaker grew up a huge Indiana University basketball fan, and he had always dreamed of playing in Assembly Hall.
While his record-breaking career at Greencastle led him to Marian University in Indianapolis instead of Bloomington, Whitaker was able to accomplish his goal of playing on the IU homecourt last month when the Knights played an exhibition game against the nationally-ranked Hoosiers.
Whitaker, slowed by a calf injury that has not yet allowed him to be at full strength this year, played 11 minutes in the predictable 72-48 loss. He missed his only field goal attempt, but had five rebounds and one impressive block of a shot attempt by IU’s Xavier Johnson.
Despite the defeat and the nagging injury, Whitaker still loved the opportunity.
“It was a great experience coming out here and playing before a lot of people for an exhibition,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a fight, but it was all around just a great experience that we were able to come out here and play on a Big 10 floor at Assembly Hall.”
Whitaker had attended a lot of games in the hallowed Assembly Hall, but had never taken the court as a player.
“This is my first time being on the court and being able to play here,” he said. “I was nervous coming into this game, but it ended up being really fun. Just being able to be out there and see all the scenery, all the banners and everything was really cool.”
Whitaker thought he played well against easily the highest level opponent he’s ever gone up against.
“I’m dealing with a little calf injury right now, so I’m fighting through that,” he said. “It’s really fun. I played good defense, rebounded and got a few steals, so I thought, I thought I did well for what I could do.”
The 3-0 Knights had played one official game prior to the exhibition contest, and have played two more games since the IU experience. Whitaker sat out the first game after the exhibition, but in the team’s most recent game on Tuesday he played 19 minutes in a big win over Cardinal Stritch. Whitaker scored nine points, hitting 4 of 6 from the field (including his only 3-point attempt) and grabbed seven rebounds.
Last year, Whitaker played in 28 of the team’s 32 games and averaged 5.4 points per game in 14.5 minutes of play. He shot 50.9 percent from the field and .703 from the free throw line, with high scoring games of 14 points against Brescia (in 22 minutes) and 13 against Penn State-Allegheny.
He enjoyed the experience and is thrilled with his college choice.
“It was definitely a good experience for me coming in as a freshman and getting minutes,” he said. “The Crossroads League is really good, and being able to play in it as a freshman has helped my confidence a lot. This year I’m trying to up that confidence and get the ball moving, maybe score a little more and help our team out more.”
Marian coach Scott Heady knew what he was getting in the versatile Whitaker, who finished his Greencastle career with 1,896 points – including a school-record 52-point outburst against North Montgomery.
“He came in as a freshman and got into our rotation and which, in a program like ours in our league, that’s sometimes hard to do for freshmen,” he said. “I thought he had a good freshman year that got him off to a good start, and now he’s just taking that next step as a sophomore.”
Heady thinks Whitaker had a good pre-season and will be glad when the injury problem is over.
“It’s been nagging on him for a couple weeks, so we’re trying to get him healthy,” Heady said. “We’re happy with him. He’s a great kid, and he obviously does the work in the classroom. I think he’s just going to get better and better as a basketball player.”
Heady continued for several minutes with his praise.
“When he gets healthy, he’s going to help us and be a part of our rotation,” Heady added. “He’s a great kid and a great teammate, with just an unbelievable attitude – but we knew that when we recruited him that that’s what we were getting.”
Whitaker is majoring in exercise science with a business minor, with plans of going into the business side of the medical field.
His studies are going well.
“It’s good, but it’s been pretty tough at some points with academics and basketball,” he said. “We’ve been all getting through it together and it’s been a pretty good year so far.”
Despite being “the man” for the vast majority of his basketball career, Whitaker has no trouble fitting into the team concept with a bunch of other guys who likely were also the main performers on their previous teams.
“You just got to love what you do,” he said. “You’ve got to go out there every day and do your job, compete and have fun through your teammates. You’ve got to do your thing and everything will come to you.”
Here is a look at other Putnam County grads competing in college basketball:
BASKETBALL
Cloverdale
Jalen Moore, Sr., Oakland – Moore was chosen pre-season first-team all-Horizon League. Moore finished second in the nation in assists last season with 7.7 per game to go along with 15.5 points to be named to the All-League Second Team for the Golden Grizzlies. He recorded nine double-doubles last season and 10 double-digit assist performances. He missed the team’s season opener this week with a minor injury but is expected to return this weekend for home games with Bowling Green and Oklahoma State.
Cooper Neese, Gr., Indiana State – Neese was chosen as a pre-season second team all-Missouri Valley Conference performer. He started the team’s opener on Monday and had two points, two rebounds and one assist in 15:30 of action.
Kyle Thomas, Fr., Cedarville – Thomas started his team’s exhibition opener at Division I Valparaiso last month and scored three points as the Yellow Jackets lost 83-79. The team will open the regular season this weekend by hosting Truman State tonight and Quincy on Saturday.
North Putnam
Mason Brooks, So., Cornerstone (Mich.) – Has played in all four games for 3-1 Golden Eagles, averaging 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.
South Putnam
Chloe Custis, So., Lake Land – Custis has started both games for the Lakers, averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Brie Miller, Fr., Vincennes – Has played in all three games for the Blazers, starting one. Averaging 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.