A new Isaiah Whaley emerges for UConn

HARTFORD – Isaiah Whaley, aka “Pork Chop,” added a little shake and bake to his game over the summer, and now he has the chance to be a real difference-maker for the UConn Huskies this season.

With a new chiseled physique and a boost of confidence, the 6-foot-8 Whaley flashed what he might bring to the Huskies’ table this season during Wednesday’s 103-64 exhibition victory over Division II Saint Michael’s.

“His whole body has changed, and he doesn’t look like the same guy,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said.

“He’s an athletic player and you can see just defensively he’s in the right spots... He brings a lot of value right now to the program.”

Whaley came off the bench to contribute 14 points, six rebounds, five blocks and a steal in just under 18 minutes. With a new shot, which he worked on tirelessly over the summer, he was a tidy 7-for-9 from the field.

“A lot of guys went home, but Isaiah knew the challenge coach had for him and he took it personal in a good way,” UConn senior guard Christian Vital said. “He took the challenge, he accepted it and I think today was just a small glimpse of the work he’s put in and just a small showing of what he’s going to be able to do for this whole season.”

The new and improved Whaley is the result of a summer filled with sacrifice and dedication. Instead of going home to North Carolina, Whaley opted to hit the gym, packing on 20 pounds of muscle to his once frail frame.

He also reinvented his shot, which has earned him the nickname “Poppers” from his teammates.

“Now they call me ‘Poppers’ because I shoot a lot of mid-range pops,” said Whaley, who previously held the nickname “Pork Chop,” which went back to his grade school days.

The shot change, which came from Hurley, was a simple one, but it’s paid off.

“Coach Hurley focused on telling me to move my shot more to the right, so it won’t block my eye vision,” he said. “Ever since he told me that it’s done wonders for my jump shot. “It took a while, but I stayed in the gym all the time until it became second nature.”

An early-season ankle injury knocked Whaley out of the mix last season and he never really found his way back until the AAC Tournament. Whaley flashed his potential with eight points and four rebounds off the bench in helping UConn beat South Florida in the first round.

“I knew this was going to be a huge off-season to prove people wrong and showcase what I can do,” Whaley said.

Whaley was determined to make his mark at UConn.

“Coming off last summer I knew I was going to have the biggest summer that I’ve ever had,” Whaley said. “I knew I was going to work the hardest that I ever had and I knew I was going to lock myself in the gym because I really want to contribute to this team, and I want to help us make a run to do something special.”

A former Husky, Kentan Facey, also deserve a share of the credit for working out with Whaley during the summer. Facey made a huge jump between his junior and senior year at UConn, so he proved a good role model for the younger player.

“Kentan really helped with my progress, he was challenging me every day,” Whaley said. “He was kind of in the same position as me, so he gave me a lot of advice.

The Huskies certainly happy to have “Poppers” back for another season.

“For me I noticed it this summer,” point guard Alterique Gilbert said, of the changes in Whaley. “It started with his body and then it just led to his development on the court.

"He’s, from top to bottom, our hardest worker day in and day out, and I’m just excited for him because we’ve seen the work, he’s put in.”