You need to stay another year, Hassan.

Postpone those dreams of making the quantum leap from Marshall to the NBA after your freshman season.

Push the pause button on your NBA iPod.

Stop listening to all those posse wannabes that keep calling you "Upside" instead of Whiteside and delay your inevitable ascension to the NBA until you're actually ready to make the move.

That's the best advice anyone could give you right now, Hassan, including me.

Oh, sure, there are some pro arguments for turning pro after just one collegiate season

There's the take-the-money-and-run school of thought. And, yes, there would be money. Some NBA team would be willing to pony up $2 million based on your 7-foot length and 7-foot-7 wing-span and sit you down at the end of their bench for two years while they developed you.

There's also the what-if-he-comes-back-and-gets-hurt doomsday dogma. I'm not going to blow smoke, Hassan. That could happen. Just ask Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.

But, then again, it could happen when you play against Rio Grande at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the Henderson Center. There's always that risk anytime you lace up your high-tops.

That's part of being an athlete.

Then, there's the future-is-now philosophy. The thinking is since you probably would be a late first-round choice in the 2010 NBA Draft, why not go for it? Never mind those predictions that you would be a lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and make a lot more money. That is then and this is now. And I understand how alluring it is to have your life-long dream within your reach.

But put down the stick, Hassan. Don't break that NBA piñata.

Wait another year. Wait another 25 pounds. Wait until you are ready.

Because the bottom line is you aren't ready now.

And it has been showing lately. It showed at Tulsa when nine NBA scouts watched you grab only one rebound in 25 minutes. It showed when you disappeared during the second half of that 73-69 loss to the Golden Hurricane. And it really showed when you didn't even jump for a crucial rebound late in the game, lackadaisically reaching for it with just one hand.

NBA scouts notice those shortcomings, Hassan.

They also notice your obvious attributes. The very nice shooting touch on jump shots from both the baseline and facing the basket out to 3-point range is eye-popping. Your skill level is astonishing.

But when you drift outside on offense to get away from contact and your lower body isn't strong enough to hold position when you post up, those are red flags.

You need a good off-season in the weight room, getting stronger and bigger. If you play at 260 pounds next season, it will make a world of difference.

Another year of maturity also would be a huge benefit. Late-growing guys like you mature much slower both physically and emotionally. Just ask Marshall assistant coach Darren Tillis. He already has been down that road.

More strength, weight and maturity would keep you from succumbing to the grind like you are now. It's no coincidence that your rebounding has fallen off lately. In the last four games, the totals have been eight, eight, one and six boards.

So give yourself another year, Hassan. The NBA will still be there. And in the meantime, you can enjoy all those kids running around wearing "No. 21, Whiteside" jerseys.

There's something special about being a collegiate player.

Don't give up that thrill. ... not yet.

Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 304-526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.

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