A native of Cynthiana, Whitaker played her prep ball at Harrison County High School, where she garnered USA Today honorable mention and second-team All-Kentucky honors.
Following high school, Whitaker played five seasons at Western Kentucky University, leading the Lady Toppers to 97 wins and postseason berths in each of her seasons. Whitaker helped the team to the 2003 Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament bid, and ranks third among WKU's all-time assists leaders. Whitaker returned to her alma mater for the 2011-12 season as an assistant coach.
Whitaker joins the Norse after spending one season at Kentucky, helping the Wildcats to a 25-8 overall record and the team's seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, resulting in a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2016.