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Brooklyn Says Hello Again to Isaiah Whitehead

Framed by Coney Island's seaside snack stands, with the Wonder Wheel and Cyclone in the background as a barely-there breeze snuck up Stilwell Ave. from the beach, Isaiah Whitehead came home Tuesday afternoon.

But had he really ever left?

Two years ago, the latest in Brooklyn's long line of hoop stars chose to stay in the neighborhood, relatively speaking, when he chose Seton Hall from a long list of suitors to play his college ball.

This time, Whitehead couldn't choose his destination. But he ended up right where he wanted to be when the Nets traded up to acquire him in last week's NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

On Coney Island, there were some new additions to the area, with No. 15 Whitehead jerseys on display in the Nets Store as the team introduced its newest Net in a spot where everybody already knows him so well.

"It's real exciting," said Whitehead. "All my friends and family are out here to see me finally introduced. It's a dream come true."

The local hero's introduction brought out Borough President Eric Adams, Lincoln high school hoop players and plenty of Brooklyn hoop fans.

Whitehead grew up just blocks away at Surfside Gardens and went on to lead Abraham Lincoln to a PSAL city championship and earn Mr. New York Basketball and McDonald's All American honors with the Railsplitters.

Making his NBA debut in his own backyard could bring some pressure, but that's not something head coach Kenny Atkinson is worried about.

"We all realized when we interviewed him, when we talked to him, that he's a guy that can handle that pressure," said Atkinson. "He proved it in the Garden in the Big East Tournament. He proved it in high school. I think he's ready to prove it at the NBA level."

Whitehead's college career featured some big New York moments when he led the Pirates to the 2016 Big East Tournament championship and earned tournament Most Outstanding Player honors after averaging 23.3 points and 5.7 assists in the tourney.

He capped his sophomore season by leading Seton Hall to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006, averaging 18.2 points and 5.1 assists for the Pirates.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound guard will head to Las Vegas next week to play for the Nets' NBA Summer League team, and he showed enough range to his game in college that his pro position could be up for grabs.

But Atkinson envisions Whitehead as a floor leader.

"I see him as a ‘1' because he passes the ball well and I think he makes his teammates better," said the Nets coach. "But … with the way the NBA is, versatility is key. I think it's huge that he can definitely slide over and play some ‘2' with his size and his ability to guard multiple positions."

"Wherever coach wants me to play, I'm there," said Whitehead.

For all the excitement of the last week, Whitehead said the impact of playing for the Nets will really hit in the fall, when he's wearing that NBA jersey that says "BROOKLYN" across his chest.

"It probably won't sink in until I'm actually on the Barclays (Center) floor and looking around and seeing family and friends and noticing I'm in Brooklyn and playing here."