A true Pirate

[Halldan]

Hard to believe 10 years ago a media member criticized him for causing unrest with his posse in the locker room area.

Pure BS because I was there for every single game he played for the Hall (back in those day the players came out to the media in an adjoining room from the locker room). And I never ever saw a single person who was there for him. Not one.

 

[Bud Boomer]

Whitehead is the best. Would not have expected him to be such a true blue Seton Hall guy, but he’s carried that flag more so than any player I can think of except Shaheen and Jerry Walker. I hope he comes back as a coach or in some capacity once he’s done playing.

Not sure I see a jersey retirement in his future, but no one wears 15 anyway so I could live with it.

 

[SPK145]

Best to just keep my mouth shut about this mythical character.

 

[joeyklings]

Very good player for 1.5 years. Not worthy of a jersey retirement, imo.

 

[SHUSource]

I don't know much about Whitehead other than what he did on the court for Seton Hall and the occasional social media post I see, mostly on Instagram. And most of those do come across as a true-blue PIrate. Don't love this one, though -- it's more than a little self-serving. You don't lobby to have your jersey retired, no matter who you are. If it's well deserved, it'll happen. Or, in this case, it won't.

 

[Hall Berry]

What's with the passive-aggressive tweet?! It's basically a thanks for the bobblehead but if you really want to do something to honor me, retire my number. And so, rather than Pirates fans celebrating the contributions made by Isaiah and lauding him for being a true Pirate, we'll get a thread calling out his bravado and stating the obvious - that although SHU has no written criteria for jersey number retirement, no one can objectively say that his credentials could possibly give rise to the ultimate honor which Seton Hall can bestow on a former athlete.

 

[NYShoreGuy]

Hard to believe 10 years ago a media member criticized him for causing unrest with his posse in the locker room area.

Pure BS because I was there for every single game he played for the Hall (back in those day the players came out to the media in an adjoining room from the locker room). And I never ever saw a single person who was there for him. Not one.

But does he have or is working to complete a degree?

 

[Piratz]

One of my favorite moments is that 2016 run and BET win.

What a wild season that was in 2014-15. I remember that posse story by the NJ writer to remain unnamed, all the Sina drama, the controversy over playing Whitehead at the 3, the big week we had without him to open BE play… The crazy presser Willard had at Nova after Gibbs hit someone’s head. What a mess.

Then of course Willard had his crossroads that Spring in 2015.

 

[SHUSource]

One of my favorite moments is that 2016 run and BET win.

What a wild season that was in 2014-15. I remember that posse story by the NJ writer to remain unnamed, all the Sina drama, the controversy over playing Whitehead at the 3, the big week we had without him to open BE play… The crazy presser Willard had at Nova after Gibbs hit someone’s head. What a mess.

Then of course Willard had his crossroads that Spring in 2015.

He is no longer among the living, by the way.

 

[NCAAsorBust]

The guy had the most incredible month and a half I've ever seen a pirate have. But 45 days of amazingness doesn't get your number retired anywhere else. does it? The only 3 things I really remember about his year other than those 45 days is he chucked it up like crazy at GW, he didn't play much in OT vs WSU and the all of the starters got benched for the final 13-14 minutes vs Creighton. Again, most amazing month and a half I ever saw a pirate have but number retiring seems a little much.

 

[NittanyPirate]

It’s great see someone take to social media to promote the school and basketball team. We could do without the self promotion but from my vantage point he has always bled pirate blue.

It’s sad to think that the portal/NIL will, or has already, created a barrier for this type of player/school bond for future players.

 

[shu67]

Is he still eligible? Maybe he is looking for some NIL money?

 

[Halldan]

I spoke to him often in the interview area after games and he was always courteous and usually deflected accolades to his teammates. He was the same win or lose. I never got the feeling that he was anything but an excellent and caring person.

 

[MooneyHall07]

But does he have or is working to complete a degree?

I thought I read somewhere that he was on campus in the offseason the last year or two working out with the team and taking classes. Someone in the know may be able to confirm.

 

[SHUSource]

It’s sad to think that the portal/NIL will, or has already, created a barrier for this type of player/school bond for future players.

Largely true, but I think we'll see particular individuals maintain that pattern. For example, Jaden Bediako seems to be "Hall In" despite only having played a year here, and we as fans seem to have returned that embrace.

 

[Halldan]

 

[SHUSource]

Is he still eligible? Maybe he is looking for some NIL money?

So is Seton Hall!

 

[Seton75]

I was driving home from work and my bro in law calls. He was a devoted Pirate, class of 63. in school with Werkman. Saw the Dukes / RR teams as a kid. An old school hoops fan. He asked if I knew what IW had decided. I told him he was going pro. (Dan broke the news to us that day.) He paused a few seconds and said "a bad day for Seton Hall". He emailed me a few minutes later, again using those same words. It sure was.

 

[Halldan]

Dick, the heart breaking news for Pirate fans is IW actually called Willard to say he was returning. But hours later he called again and in tears told our coach he had to leave to support his mom.

Whitehead absolutely did not want to leave and the following year Willard said to the media, "I see him more now than when he was a student".

His love for the school is undeniable. And he deserves every bit of applause he gets tonight.

 

[Seton75]

Dick, the heart breaking news for Pirate fans is IW actually called Willard to say he was returning. But hours later he called again and in tears told our coach he had to leave to support his mom.

Whitehead absolutely did not want to leave and the following year Willard said to the media, "I see him more now than when he was a student".

His love for the school is undeniable. And he deserves every bit of applause he gets tonight.

I remember. And I remember KW saying IW was on campus all the time in his rookie year.

And I will never forget being sick as a dog and calling a guy I did biz with and telling him I was too sick to go to the BET title game with him. What a punk *** move lol. (I WAS really sick but the 30-40 people I may have infected if I went would have probably recovered like I eventually did. And the next time I remember being real sick was when I backed out og the 2 Walsh NIT games.)

If I get real sick again I will tell the board so you guys can get some $$ on the Pirates.

 

[Halldan]

When he hit that layup at games end the Garden was as loud as I ever heard it. And when the Knicks were winning championships I went to all their playoff games.

The additional foul shot that gave the Hall the lead and eventual win seemed like a mere formality. After the game I was let into the locker room, although I should not have been given access. You never saw a bunch of kids more happy in your life. I wish I could have shared that moment with all Pirate fans.

 

[BrklynGrad]

But does he have or is working to complete a degree?

Don't think a degree is "necessary" for a retired number [anymore}, but I'd a kid should play four years or at least three.

At a place like Seton Hall, with players coming and going, retired numbers will be a thing of the past.

I don't think Whitehead's number should be retired.

 

[U-Hall]

We were at a crossroad after the 2025 season. Would Willard get fired? Who was going to transfer?

Maybe if free agency was available, players may have left. But they stayed. And what a magical season that became. I remember watching the BE Tournament and Whitehead was just tremendous. I'm like who is this guy wearing blue? We don't get these types of players at SHU. They go elsewhere.

 

[Section112]

His exploits that season should continue to be celebrated. What a stud he was. Glad they are having bobblehead night and wish I could be there. That was a tremendous run that brings a smile when I think about it. He took over that Nova game and when he hit that shot and Willard fell to the ground - the Garden was rocking like I never heard it before. A great moment in SHU history and one of my best memories as an SHU fan. That team was fun, gritty and didn't quit.

Then in Denver it all came crashing down unfortunately. Sat by his Mom at the game and as soon as we lost she was crying telling everyone who would listen that he was going pro. She knew what he was doing long before IW did.

 

[Halldan]

After the season I spoke to someone who every single person reading this would know. I told said person what a great job the school did keeping Willard. He told me the school doesn't deserve the credit. It was Whitehead who saved Willard's job.

 

[MooneyHall07]

After the season I spoke to someone who every single person reading this would know. I told said person what a great job the school did keeping Willard. He told me the school doesn't deserve the credit. It was Whitehead who saved Willard's job.

I said before but to me he is the most consequential player for SHU in the 21st century, including Powell. His commitment was the genesis for the run of sustained success the program had and so many great things that did happen probably don't happen if he goes elsewhere.

 

[radecicco]

Been watching SHU since before the PJ days and the BET in 2016 was my best Pirate experience since PJ’s run. Was at the semis and the finals. The win over X was wild but beating NOVA in the finals was my greatest SHU hoops experience. The Garden was absolutely bonkers and then the band playing the SHU fight song out on 7th Ave was the icing on the cake. Unforgettable. Not happening without Isaiah.

 

[PiratePride]

When he hit that layup at games end the Garden was as loud as I ever heard it. And when the Knicks were winning championships I went to all their playoff games.

The additional foul shot that gave the Hall the lead and eventual win seemed like a mere formality. After the game I was let into the locker room, although I should not have been given access. You never saw a bunch of kids more happy in your life. I wish I could have shared that moment with all Pirate fans.

you just did

 

[The_Hall]

some miserable people here.

whitehead is the man, potentially one of the best runs a shu player has ever had (maybe the best?)

he loves the hall. retire the jersey. only speak great about him. brought the best memory that most of us have at this point

 

[HallX2]

Great player. Shd have stayed. Gets all our appreciation but 15 remains available

 

[lloyde dobler]

some miserable people here.

whitehead is the man, potentially one of the best runs a shu player has ever had (maybe the best?)

he loves the hall. retire the jersey. only speak great about him. brought the best memory that most of us have at this point

Nothing against Whitehead, but your knowledge of SHU basketball is severely lacking.

 

[Piratz]

From this era, it would be Myles Powell given his accolades. All-time list of achievements.

You could make a case for Angel Delgado.

Holloway has also asked for his to be on a few occasions but I don’t think so.

 

[NCAAsorBust]

some miserable people here.

whitehead is the man, potentially one of the best runs a shu player has ever had (maybe the best?)

he loves the hall. retire the jersey. only speak great about him. brought the best memory that most of us have at this point

Retiring numbers based on best memories. How low is the bar getting in 2026?

Ty shine 26 points vs temple is a better memory for another group of pirate fans. Retire both of them together? Sound good?

 

[Garyshu1971]

John Morton is all I'll say about this.

 

[radecicco]

John Morton is all I'll say about this.

Most of the ‘89 team should have their numbers retired.

 

[Halldan]

Just put all the deserving athletes, male and female in a Ring of Honor. No need to be retiring numbers.

In the case of the FF guys, put the team in whole in the Ring of Honor.

 

[lloyde dobler]

Most of the ‘89 team should have their numbers retired.

Remember that while not retired, their names and numbers do hang in Walsh Gym.

 

[The_Hall]

Nothing against Whitehead, but your knowledge of SHU basketball is severely lacking.

whitehead was the best player in the country for over a month. what other shu player has done that?

 

[The_Hall]

Remember that while not retired, their names and numbers do hang in Walsh Gym.

and IW should have his hanged without question. especially considering the program was in a state of complete disrepair when he came . you guys will be long dead and gone and he's going to be one of the very few anyone remembers. well at least that hasn't sued the school.

 

[NCAAsorBust]

and IW should have his hanged without question. especially considering the program was in a state of complete disrepair when he came . you guys will be long dead and gone and he's going to be one of the very few anyone remembers. well at least that hasn't sued the school.

Step away from the alcohol, put the shovel down and stop digging. You have been following for 12 years, maybe 15. So many players the 2 decades before that had the program in much better shape.