Lincoln 2014 Guard Isaiah Whitehead: The Next Star of New York City?

Every time Lincoln High School (NY) 2014 guard Isaiah Whitehead steps on the court, the New York City lens magnifies everything he does.

“Everybody in New York compares everybody with everybody else. People compare me with Lance [Stephenson], Sebastian [Telfair], Steph [Marbury],” said Whitehead. “But, at the end of the day, I’m still going to be Isaiah Whitehead.”

At the age of 16, the baby-faced Whitehead has been thrust into the spotlight after starring for the Lincoln Railsplitters this past season.

At Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest with his AAU team, Juice All-Stars, Whitehead showcased his explosive ability when attacking the basket, as well as his polished mid-range game. “Playing at a big university on a big floor, it’s great,” said Whitehead of the Hoop Group experience. “We have a huge opportunity to play at a Big East school and I’m just looking to get better.”

As only a freshman, his 6’4” frame is sturdy and he has learned how to use it to his advantage in the lane. His balanced, compact jumpshot release is difficult to block and is part of the reason he is effective, even when he is unable to get to the basket. Early in his Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest game against the Baltimore All-Stars, Whitehead was able to use his size to get to the basket, clear out defenders and use a keen eye to find a teammate for a nice assist. He sees the floor well when he drives and can find an opening with skill beyond his years.

Whitehead is drawing interest from Southern California, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, Providence, and North Carolina and is leaving the recruiting field open.

Being that Whitehead is a highly-touted New York product, St. John’s naturally comes into the mix of possible schools for the rising sophomore.

“It’s a great school,” said Whitehead of St. John’s. “It’s my hometown school. My teammate Jevon Thomas is going there, so I’ll be looking into it.”

But, the young Whitehead is just that: young. His career can still take one of many paths, which he, interestingly, mentioned when talking about other past prospects from New York.

Stephenson, who was considering St. John’s on his final list of schools before choosing Cincinnati, has been plagued by run-ins with the law that have perhaps limited his development as a player.

Telfair, after being drafted 13th overall by Portland in 2004, has still yet to live up to the astronomical expectations he was burdened with coming out of Lincoln HS (NY). Bouncing around to five NBA teams, he averaged 7 points and 3 assists in 37 games for the Timberwolves this season.

One of the best-case scenarios for Whitehead would be the Stephon Marbury route. Marbury averaged over 19 points and 7 assists in his 13 NBA seasons, averaging over 20 points in seven of those seasons.

Whitehead calls St. John’s Steve Lavin a “great coach” and it appears that the ties to fellow New York guard Jevon Thomas could play a role in his recruitment.

During the remainder of his high school career, Whitehead will most likely grow larger and transform into a true shooting guard or swingman, though his tight handle gives him some point guard characteristics that add to his versatility.

Lincoln has a blossoming star on their hands, one who could be the future of New York basketball.