Brooklyn native Isaiah Whitehead gets to start his NBA career in his hometown

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Isaiah Whitehead and free agent forward Trevor Booker each to a multi-year contract.

“Trevor is a seasoned big with a defensive mindset who will bring toughness, rebounding, and a competitive edge to our team,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks.

Trevor Booker

Booker (6’8”, 228) has appeared in 393 games (112 starts) in six NBA seasons with Washington (2010-14) and Utah (2014-16), recording averages of 6.5 points on .515 from the field, 5.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 20.3 minutes per game. He also made a playoff appearance in 2014 with the Wizards, registering averages of 3.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game in nine contests. This past season, the 28-year-old saw action in 79 games with the Jazz, averaging 5.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 20.7 minutes per game while setting single-season career-highs in minutes played (1,632), rebounds (452), assists (84) and steals (59). The Newberry, S.C. native was originally selected with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft by Minnesota before his rights were traded to Washington on draft night. Prior to beginning his NBA career, Booker played four years at Clemson (2006-10), earning All-ACC second-team honors as a junior, All-ACC first-team recognition as a senior and All-ACC defensive team honors in each of his final two seasons. He helped lead the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a school-record 93 victories during his four-year tenure.

Isaiah Whitehead

Selected with the 42nd pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Whitehead’s rights were acquired by Brooklyn in a draft-night trade with the Utah Jazz in exchange for the draft rights to guard Marcus Paige, the 55th overall selection, and cash considerations.

Whitehead (6’4”, 210) played two years at Seton Hall, most recently leading the Pirates to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006. The Brooklyn native averaged 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 32.3 minutes per game in 34 games (33 starts) as a sophomore, earning unanimous All-Big East first-team honors and an Associated Press All-America honorable mention. He was also named the 2016 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player after averaging 23.3 points and 5.7 assists in the Big East Tournament, where the Pirates claimed their first conference tournament title since 1993. As a freshman, Whitehead averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 27.8 minutes per game in 22 games (19 starts) en route to Big East All-Rookie Team honors. A product of Abraham Lincoln High School and Coney Island, Whitehead was a McDonald's All-American and named Mr. New York Basketball by the state's Basketball Coaches Association in 2014.

In addition to signing Jeremy Lin, Nets acquire draft rights to Caris Levert from Indiana

As expected and rumored all over the place, particularly after the signing of head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Brooklyn Nets signed free agent guard Jeremy Lin to a multi-year contract.

“We are excited to welcome Jeremy to Brooklyn,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks. “He is a high character and competitive individual who will fit our culture moving forward, as well as the style of play that Kenny will be implementing. Jeremy is a proven veteran point guard with strong leadership qualities, who is an obvious fit in this system and city.”

The Nets also acquired the draft rights to Caris LeVert, the 20th pick in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft, along with a future second-round pick, from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Thaddeus Young.

Young had been the subject of trade rumors for months leading up to the NBA 2016 trade deadline. When Atkinson was presented to the media on May 16, 2016, it seemed to be some assurances that Young would not be traded and that he, along with Brook Lopez and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson would be the core that the Nets could build around. Obviously, that did not work out.

Young played in 101 games (93 starts) with the Nets after joining the team via trade from Minnesota on February 19, 2015, averaging 14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.0 minutes per game. A nine-year NBA veteran, Young has appeared in 665 career games with Philadelphia, Minnesota and Brooklyn, holding averages of 13.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.6 minutes per game.

LeVert (6’7”, 205) played four seasons at Michigan and helped the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the National Championship game in 2013 and the Elite Eight in 2014. In 103 career games (70 starts) for the Wolverines, LeVert averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. As a senior, the Columbus, Ohio, native posted averages of 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 30.9 minutes per game while shooting .506 from the field and .446 from 3-point range in 15 games (14 starts) during an injury-shortened season. He earned 2014 All-Big Ten second-team and 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament team honors following his sophomore season when he averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 34.0 minutes per game in 37 games.

Sidelined by injury, Jarrett Jack won’t make his return to the Brooklyn Nets

As expected, the Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on guard Jarrett Jack.

This past season, Jack appeared in and started 32 games, averaging 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in 32.1 minutes per game before suffering a season-ending right knee injury on January 2.

In two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, Jack saw action in 112 games, posting averages of 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 29.2 minutes per game.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Jack has played in 803 career games with Portland, Indiana, Toronto, New Orleans, Golden State, Cleveland, and Brooklyn, recording averages of 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 28.1 minutes per game.

Looks like Brooklyn native Isaiah Whitehead will start his NBA career in his hometown

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired the draft rights to guard Isaiah Whitehead, the 42nd pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, from the Utah Jazz in exchange for the draft rights to guard Marcus Paige, the 55th overall selection, and cash considerations.

Whitehead played two years at Seton Hall, most recently leading the Pirates to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006. The Brooklyn native averaged 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 32.3 minutes per game in 34 games (33 starts) as a sophomore, earning unanimous All-Big East First Team honors and an Associated Press All-America honorable mention. He was also named the 2016 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player after averaging 23.3 points and 5.7 assists in the Big East Tournament, where the Pirates claimed their first conference tournament title since 1993. As a freshman, Whitehead averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 27.8 minutes per game in 22 games (19 starts) en route to Big East All-Rookie Team honors. A product of Abraham Lincoln High School and Coney Island, Whitehead was a McDonald's All-American and named Mr. New York Basketball by the state's Basketball Coaches Association in 2014.

The overhaul of the Brooklyn Nets organization continues with the formation of a new performance team

The Brooklyn Nets have named Zach Weatherford as director of player performance, Dan Meehan as head strength and conditioning coach, Lloyd Beckett as head athletic trainer/physical therapist and Aisling Toolan as director of physical therapy.

“We are extremely excited to announce the formation of our new performance team which is comprised of world renowned leaders in the fields of athletic performance and sports science,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks in a press release. “Together they bring a collective experience along with global industry contacts that will open doors for the Nets to have access to top performance programs and techniques from around the world. Working in conjunction with our elite medical team from the Hospital for Special Surgery, we will be able to provide our players with the highest level of care possible, giving them every advantage to reach their maximum level of performance.”

Zach Weatherford

Zach Weatherford joins the Nets after spending the past two years as human performance manager at the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command. Weatherford was appointed as the first Naval Special Warfare human performance program manager to facilitate the program across the Navy SEAL/SWCC Force of over 8,500 active duty personnel. From 2010-14, Weatherford served as a human performance manager for the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Group ONE. Prior to his military experience, Weatherford held multiple roles with the U.S. Olympic Committee. From 2007-09, Weatherford held the position of sports physiologist for the U.S. Olympic Committee, where he led a multidisciplinary team of science-based human performance professionals which implemented platforms across 17 U.S. Olympic Team programs. In addition, Weatherford served as the strength and conditioning/video specialist for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team from 2004-07 and as strength and conditioning coordinator for the U.S. Olympic Committee from 2000-04. Throughout his time with the U.S. Olympic program, Weatherford was on the staff of three Olympic Games (2004-Athens, 2006-Torino, 2008-Beijing). A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Weatherford received a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology along with a sports science degree.

Dan Meehan

Dan Meehan comes to Brooklyn after serving the past six years as head strength and conditioning coach/sports scientist for the North Melbourne Football Club in Australia. In his role with the club, Meehan was responsible for developing and implementing individual training programs for 45 Australian Rules Football players, which included strength and power training, conditioning, speed and agility work, injury prevention and corrective exercise techniques. Meehan also worked in the same capacity for the Melbourne Tigers of the Australian National Basketball League during the 2011-12 season. Previously, Meehan spent five years as a physical preparation coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport in Melbourne working with Olympic and World Championship medalists in numerous sports. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Meehan received his Bachelor of Exercise Science degree and Honors research degree from Australian Catholic University in Melbourne.

Lloyd Beckett

Lloyd Beckett joined the Nets in 2014, and for the past two seasons has held the dual role of director of physical therapy and assistant athletic trainer. He was honored as the Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year for the 2014-15 season. Prior to joining the Nets, Beckett worked with the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations as a physical therapist in 2014. Beckett also spent two years as a physical therapist at the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute and has held sports medicine internships with the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, New England Patriots and Providence College. A native of Falmouth, Maine, Beckett received his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Physical Therapy degrees from Northeastern University. He also holds a Master of Science degree from Bridgewater State University.

Aisling Toolan

Aisling Toolan joins the Nets after spending the past five years as a physical therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery Rehabilitation and Performance Center. In addition, Toolan served as the physical therapist for NYCFC during the 2015 MLS season. In 2014, Toolan completed a rotation at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, where she worked with National Team gymnasts, fencers, wrestlers, and weightlifters. Toolan received her Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University. The former Irish international soccer player and native of Dublin is also a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy.

Wayne Ellington wins Professional Basketball Writers Association award that showcases outstanding service and dedication to the community

Brooklyn Nets guard Wayne Ellington of the Brooklyn Nets has won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for 2015-16, as selected by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA). The honor, named after the NBA’s second commissioner, is presented annually by the PBWA to the player, coach or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.

The other finalists for the award were guard George Hill of the Indiana Pacers, forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, guard Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers and guard John Wall of the Washington Wizards.

After his father, Wayne Ellington Sr., was shot to death on Nov. 9, 2014, in Philadelphia, Ellington, a native of Wynnewood, Pa., decided to channel his grief into action by becoming an advocate for gun violence prevention.

On Sept. 21, 2015, Ellington was the featured speaker at Peace Day Philly’s “March for Peace” before a crowd of mostly schoolchildren, many of whom lost a loved one to gun violence. His speech was a primary attraction at the fifth annual Peace Day Philly, which was the culmination of a weeklong series of peace-oriented events. Also in September, Ellington joined Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas and other current and former NBA players to help run the fourth annual Chicago Peace League Basketball Tournament, which aims to reduce gang violence in the city.

Ellington has continued his outreach efforts by creating the “Power of W.E.” campaign. In addition to filming a PSA for one of the only hospital-based violence prevention programs of its kind in the country (in conjunction with Temple University), Ellington plans to host the Philadelphia Peace Games in August. For that event, rival gang members in Philadelphia will come together for a basketball game played on a court built and customized with Power of W.E. messaging for community use.

“Wayne Ellington’s efforts to curb gun violence are inspiring,” said PBWA President Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. “His message resonates.”

Ellington also connected with The Rens, a grassroots children’s basketball program in New York City. The Rens became the first basketball team in the country at any level to wear orange patches on their jerseys as a statement against the crisis of gun violence after multiple incidents of gun violence involving the team’s members. Ellington provided them with tickets to attend two Nets games. Through the Brooklyn NetsAssist program, Ellington also donated more than 2,000 tickets this season to various youth basketball programs, non-profit organizations, and schools throughout New York City.

The PBWA is composed of approximately 175 writers and editors who cover the NBA on a regular basis for newspapers, online outlets, and magazines.

Muhammad Ali may have lost his battle with Parkinson's disease, but in death, he is still the people's champ

In this episode of What's The 411Sports, the panel of Keisha Wilson, Mike McDonald, and guest panelist, New York Amsterdam reporter, Vincent Davis are talking about:

Heavyweight champion boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali's legacy
The latest debacle facing the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and even though Hope Solo doesn't want to participate and cyclist Tejay Van Garderen doesn't want to participate because his wife is pregnant, it's not the Zika Virus
The New York Knicks hires Jeff Hornacek to be its new head coach
Canadian professional basketball player and 2013 NBA No.1 overall draftee, Anthony Bennett, worked out with the Brooklyn Nets at mini-camp and reports say he looks good
New York Mets third baseman David Wright on the Disabled List
New York Yankees' first baseman Mark Teixeira hit with injury bug, torn cartilage in right knee

Keisha Wilson puts former NY Giants Lawrence Taylor's wife, Lynette Taylor on the bench, and Judge Aaron Persky goes in the dog house for only giving Brock Turner, aka the Stanford Rapist, six months in jail for his rape conviction.

Stephen Curry wins the NBA MVP Award for the second consecutive year; is Sam Bradford delusional; Frank Vogel still looking for an opportunity to coach

In this episode of What's The 411Sports, Keisha Wilson and Mike McDonald are talking about:

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry wins the NBA MVP Award for the second consecutive year and the first player to win with a unanimous vote
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wins NBA Coach of the Year award
The Indiana Pacers decided not to renew head coach Frank Vogel's contract
The Memphis Grizzlies fire Dave Joerger and the Sacramento Kings hires Joerger and pays him more money
The Houston Rockets are still searching for a head coach
The NFL issues a warning about eating meat in foreign countries
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton gets the Los Angeles Lakers head coach position
Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott says he was blindsided by the Lakers’ firing
Miami Heat center Chris Bosh won’t be with the Miami Heat during its playoff run, as Bosh is out for the season because of continuing issues with blood clots
Caitlin Jenner will pose nude for the cover of Sports Illustrated

Additional in-depth conversations focus on: Cardale Jones, Eli Apple, Sam Bradford, Laremy Tunsil, the Penn State scandal involving Jerry Sandusky, and Joe Paterno.

The NY Sports Report focuses on the Brooklyn Nets introduction of its new head coach Kenny Atkinson, which should be imminent since the Atlanta Hawks’ playoff run has come to an end and ending Atkinson's assistant coaching duties.

The New York Knicks is still leaving fans and the media in the dark regarding its head coach for next season. It’s been rumored that former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel or his agent may have spoken with Steve Mills, executive vice president and general manager of the New York Knicks, and not Knicks president, Phil Jackson. This rumor has left many Knicks fans to worry that Jackson is going to keep Kurt Rambis as the Knicks head coach.

Stephen Curry may miss Game 3 against the Houston Rockets in NBA playoffs; Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel fall again, will they ever see the NFL again?

In this episode of What's The 411Sports recorded on April 19, 2016, What's The 411Sports hosts Keisha Wilson and Mike McDonald are talking about the:

NBA Playoffs 2016;
Stephen Curry's ankle injury;
NBA Board of Governors decision to place brand logos on players' jerseys;
The NBA Draft chase by high school graduate, Thon Maker;
Los Angeles Rams - Tennessee Titans trade;
Seattle Seahawks' social media cupcake schedule promo;
Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel's latest falls from grace;
Kenny Atkinson is the Brooklyn Nets new head coach
New York Knicks and its coaching dilemma
New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom’s stressful week

Upcoming sports events are:

• The NBA playoffs continue.......
• Yanks host the Rays for a weekend series 4/22-4/24
• The Mets visit the struggling Atlanta Braves 4/22-4/24

Good and bittersweet in Cali: Warriors tie the Chicago Bulls 1995-96 most wins in a season and Kobe Bryant is set to take his last dribble as an NBA player

In this episode of What's The 411Sports recorded on April 12, 2016, What's The 411Sports hosts Keisha Wilson and Mike McDonald are talking about the:

Outcome of the Augusta National Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia;

Adam Schefter's interview with Greg Hardy;

Johnny Manziel;

Golden State Warriors;

Kobe Bryant;

The New York sports report;

The Golden State Warriors tied the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls winning season record at 72 games;

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant NBA playing days coming to an end;

NY Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired

NY Yankees

NY Mets

Brooklyn Nets

NY Knicks; and

Louisiana Tech women’s head coach Tyler Summit resigns, as he should, and is now on the What’s The 411Sports bench

Events coming up in the What’s The 411Sports pipeline are:

• The NY Mets will play in Cleveland on April 15-17.
• The Boston Marathon is on Monday, April 18.
• The NY Yankees will meet up with former teammate Robinson Cano when the Yankees play the Seattle Mariners on April 19 – 21 at Yankees Stadium.
• The Kentucky Derby, the first leg of a potential triple crown in horse racing is on Saturday, May 7.