Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside has no reason to get jumpy

Whiteside’s becoming a dependable big man

Players with long reaches or wingspans have had a history of being successful in the NBA, even if they are undersized. But the latter clause isn’t applicable in the case of 7 ft tall Miami center, Hassan Whiteside. Just take a look at this picture he posted on Instagram:

#repost @hassanwhiteside I don't think people realize how big I am and how long my arms are I'm just hanging #its10feetlol #GoHeat #HoopTheory
A photo posted by Hoop Theory (@hooptheory) on Aug 31, 2015 at 8:54pm PDT

The 26-year-old Marshall University product doesn’t even need to jump to wrap both hands around the rim. Standing 7 feet tall, Whiteside has a wingspan of 7 feet 5 inches and a standing reach of 9 feet 4 inches, which coupled with the additional elevation from standing on tiptoes of giant feet, enable him to touch the ring without even a slight hop.

After being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2010, Whiteside’s NBA career got off to a slow start with injuries and skill issues. He played in Lebanon and China before returning to the NBA in 2014 as part of the Memphis Grizzlies. His career has seen a resurgence after a move to the Miami Heat in November 2014, where he averaged 11.8 PPG, 10 RPG and 2.6 BPG. Whiteside finished fourth in the running for the NBA Most Improved Player Award.