Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Sports > Where They Are Now: Zack Whiting

Where They Are Now: Zack Whiting

Shane Hanson, Sports Editor

Chaminade University of Honolulu has seen thousands of student athletes come through its athletic department. There have been some that stood out with outstanding careers in their sports and some even excelled to the professional ranks upon graduation.

California native and former men’s basketball standout Zack Whiting, had one of the best careers in Chaminade athletic history.

Chaminade head coach Matt Mahar, who coached Whiting for two seasons said, “Zack was a pleasure to have because he was the most competitive kid I have ever had. I felt like with him, we would always have a chance to win the game.”

Whiting has played three seasons professionally, all in Germany. He is currently playing in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top basketball league. He is in pre-season and his first game of this season is Oct. 9.

When asked about how Chamiande benefited him he said, “As you know Chaminade does not have the top notch facilities that most schools have.  Chaminade has taught me to appreciate what you have and that you have to work hard for respect and recognition. I think the Administration and Bill Villa have done a great job at making Chaminade a better place.”

At Chaminade, Whiting won numerous prestigious awards and honors in his career including: 2006-2007 Pac West Player of the Year, the 06-07 single season assist leader in all of college basketball and NCAA Division II All-American.

Whiting played for Chaminade for three seasons from 2003 to 2006-07.

Mahar described Whiting as the best and most complete player he has ever coached. When asked for one word to encompass Whiting’s on-the-court persona, Mahar said “intense.”

After a great career at Chaminade, Whiting gained more than just basketball skills, he explains, “I respect Coach Mahar a great deal on and off the court. I have also gained many good friends while I was at Chaminade. One of my best friends in life was a teammate of mine at Chaminade and was later in my wedding. We now visit each other over the summer when I am back in California.”

Though Whiting has left the islands, he plans to come back, “My goals for the future are to play professionally for a couple more years and save enough money to buy a house in Hawaii so my wife and I can start a family.”

But for now, he’s still on the courts. Whiting has played in different areas throughout Germany, “I have played for three different teams in Germany. Leverkusen, Artland and Dusseldorf. So far Dusseldorf is my favorite city to live in.”