Whiteside was rated as the No. 19 center in the Class of 2009, according to Scout.com and ranked as the No. 87 recruit in the Class of 2009 by Rivals.com.
Whiteside dinilai sebagai Center No 19 di Kelas tahun 2009, menurut Scout.com dan peringkat rekrutan No. 87 di Kelas tahun 2009 oleh Rivals.com.