The former two-time NBA blocks leader, Hassan Whiteside, has recently shared a heartfelt message regarding his younger brother’s death. His 23-year-old brother, Xaveyon Isaiah Whiteside, passed away in late March, as per the AHN Fire Digital.
As per the report, multiple NBA figures, such as Udonis Haslem, Wayne Ellington, Isaiah Thomas, Matt Barnes, and Gabrielle Union, wife of Dwayne Wade, all expressed their condolences. In one of his Instagram posts, Whiteside mentioned, “Letter to my little Brother Xaveyon Isaiah Whiteside….. I know you always joked on me about not posting enough, but this one will be the hardest I ever had to do. Losing you on Easter Sunday makes me think of the times I showed you how an Easter egg hunt works. When you started walking at 2 years old, I was 13. All you wanted to do was eat the candy and put the egg back while Mom was working 16-hour shifts. I learned how to change your diaper and give you a bottle as a baby.”
“I watched you grow up into a man, from graduating high school to getting your first job. I remember you coming to my first NBA game against the Hornets. I missed your phone calls, Lil bro. We spoke weekly and how we used to play duos on Call of Duty. Every time I close my eyes, I can remember our last conversation of you laughing, saying how you think you can beat me one on one after my shoulder surgery. I couldn’t speak at the funeral. I think that’s when reality set in for me… From carrying you as a baby to carrying your ashes in a cold vase. The pain was unbearable. That’s when my reality set in.”
He further continued, “I tried my best to always protect you for the 23 years you were here. I would give anything to have that one-on-one game with you. People ask me if I’m okay. I will never be okay. I just have to stay strong for Mom and the rest of the family. And we will get that game, Lil bro, in the next life. I love you King.”
Whiteside was selected in the 2010 NBA Draft in the second round as the 33rd overall pick by the Sacramento Kings. He played with the Kings from 2010 to 2012 and also played for multiple teams in the NBA G League and Lebanese clubs as well.
From 2014 to 2019, he played with the Miami Heat and he also played with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2019 to 2020. He then once again joined the Sacramento Kings and played with them from 2020 to 2021. From 2021 to 2022, he played with the Utah Jazz and last year he announced his retirement after playing for Piratas de Quebradillas.
He has collected many accolades in his career and finished his NBA career with a total of 6,450 points, 5,523 rebounds, and 1,143 blocks. In 2013, he was also the NBA G League champion, and Baloncesto Superior Nacional professional men’s basketball league’s blocks leader, rebounding leader, and Defensive Player of the Year. The league is based in Puerto Rico.
