Whatley grew in ability, strength and height
As a freshman, Brandon Whatley was “very short,” he said, at 5’10” and over the next two years grew eight to nine inches and, at 6’7”, is the tallest of the Blackhawk basketball team.
Whatley, 17, has two elder sisters (Alli and Sara) who played basketball and with whom he used to play at home “in the backyard for fun.”
“I am of a competitive nature,” he said, smiling. “I’ve played basketball since the fourth grade just for the love of the game.”
“I just love the competitiveness of it and the satisfaction of seeing the ball go in and seeing a stop,” he said. He, and fellow seniors Wes Anderson and Hunter Rains and junior Greyden Edwards are captains of the varsity Blackhawks.
“Brandon came in this off season and worked extremely hard getting stronger, more athletic,” head coach Trent Lloyd said. “He was a guard in junior high at 5’11” … anytime you grow eight inches in two years, sometimes it’s tough for your body to catch up.
“He spent extra time in the weight room,” Loyd said. “His sophomore year, you could tell it was tough for him to move his body. He noticed it and he put in extra time to gain strength in his legs and his core to make up for the awkward stage.”
“He is now going a little bit more inside out,” Loyd said. “Brandon works extremely hard and everything he gets this year will be well deserved because of his work ethic.
“I like to dunk the ball,” Whatley said. “A lot of people don’t get the chance to but since I’m 6’7” I like to put on a little show for them.”
He said he grew between his 10th and 11th grade years and was about 6’2” by the middle of his sophomore year and 6’6” by the end of his junior year.
“I definitely felt a little awkward and had trouble moving my body as fast as I wanted to,” Whatley said. “I got a lot of help from coaches and the trainer. She (Jaime Mann, trainer) definitely helped by giving me drills to do.”
“Since I’m very tall, people think I’m more of an inside player. I have a very efficient 3-point shot, but also on the inside,” he said smiling.
Loyd said Whatley “brings leadership … a sense of urgency to our team … and I think he brings a confidence.
“The guys are more confident, they know he’ll always be in the right spot,” Loyd said. “He’s a great team leader.”
He is the son of Cheryl and Chad Whatley and has been in Pea Ridge schools since kindergarten. He is the grandson of Norman Swartwood of Bentonville.