Players

Donald Whiteside

Year Inducted: 2003

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: (Chicago) Leo High School
Northern Illinois University
NBA:  Toronto Raptors/Atlanta Hawks

Biography: Donald averaged 18.3 ppg. and 6.1 assists on 27-3 league champion at (Chicago) Leo High School as senior in 1987.  Known for his quickness, his love of the game led him from the playground to Leo High and NIU, overseas, then into CBA, NBA, and ABA, and back to his collegiate alma mater as an assistant coach. On a strange path, Donald went from teacher to MVP of the Chicago Summer Pro-Am League and then to the NBA Toronto Raptors (1996-97) and Atlanta Hawks (1997-98). He reached the ABA title game with Chicago Skyliners where he averaged 11.6 points for 31-12 team (2000-01). Over the course of his career, he played in five countries and for Athletes in Action. He won team MVP honors twice with Australian National Basketball League Hobart Tazmanian Devils (1991-93). Donald’s NU play allowed him to be named to the NIU All-Decade (1990), the All-Time Chick Evans Field House Team (1997), and the All-Century Team (2001). Donald became only the second Northern Illinois MBB player to record 1,000 career points (1,155) and 300 career assists (313). He was a candidate for the Naismith Award as the nation’s top senior under six-feet tall (1990-91). He averaged only one turnover every 14.5 minutes in final two seasons. Donald was a three-time UPI “Small-America” (First Team in 1990-91 and Second Team in 1988-90) and two-time team captain (1988-89, 1990-91). He was voted First-Team All-Mid-Continent Conference, All-Mid-Con Post-Season Tourney, and Honorable Mention Basketball Weekly All-District on NCAA team (1990-91). He set eight school three-point basket records—including single-game (8), season (78), and career (204). He led the Huskies in assists for three straight winters.