Donald Whiteside is returning home.

NIU men’s basketball coach Rob Judson named the former Huskie point guard as an assistant coach, joining Mike Shepherd on the bench.

“Donald will be a truly great ambassador for Northern Illinois men’s basketball,” Judson said. “He has a bright future as a college coach. Donald is well-connected in Chicago and the region. His outstanding character and work ethic will carry over to his coaching now that his playing career has ended.”

Judson was an assistant coach at NIU when Whiteside played for the Huskies from 1989 to 1991. In those two seasons, the Huskies went 42-17.

The newly-appointed head coach said that when Whiteside was a player, he was like a coach on the floor.

Whiteside played for 10 years of professional basketball, playing in four continents and the NBA. Whiteside played in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors in 1996-97 season, where he averaged less than three points a game in 27 games.

Whiteside completed his playing career Saturday when the ABA Chicago Skyliners lost to the Detroit Dogs 107-91 in the ABA 2000 championship game. Whiteside finished the game with six points, four rebounds and one assist.

“This is a great opportunity for me to come back and do something positive,” Whiteside said. “Northern Illinois opened a lot of doors for me on many levels — socially, academically and athletically. I was fortunate to be associated with a lot of good people who all have been positive influences on my life. With coach Judson back and the new convocation center, I’m excited about everything NIU has done. I look forward to getting to work and the challenge.”

“Donald Whiteside is one of a handful of players who could impact the game from his guard position,” Judson said. “Donald was our rhythm man. He set the tempo on both ends of the floor. He got people involved. Great guards win games.”