Basic
- Position: Forward
- From: Newark, NJ
- Current team: Duke
- Height: 6-foot-7
- Weight: 220lb
- Wingspan: 6-foot-9
Stats
- 20.6 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 8.3 points on 42% shooting, with 2.4 boards, 1 assists and 0.8 steals per game.
- Took 3.5 3-pointers per game, averaging 42.9% of makes.
- Shot 41.4% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 1 time per game, making 0.8 of attempts (79.3%).
Strengths
- Premier shooter in college basketball, shooting 43% from beyond the arc as a freshman on over three attempts per game.
- Efficient shooter both in spot-ups and off the dribble, with a fluid shooting motion and a textbook high release.
- Excellent physical attributes with a 6'7" frame and a wingspan just over 6'10", providing great length and versatility.
- Filled out body at 217 pounds, particularly strong in the lower half.
- Solid first step and flexible hip movement, allowing him to create remarkable space for himself before dribbling.
- Polished step-back jumper that he can execute from inside and outside the three-point line.
- Intelligent cutter from the corner and wing, displaying good basketball IQ.
- Uses long strides, body control, and slithering moves to attack the basket and navigate around contact.
- Switchable and active defender, capable of guarding multiple positions.
- Possesses disruptive length, instincts, and quickness to disrupt passing lanes as an off-ball defender.
- Active hands as an on-ball defender, causing frustration for ball-handlers.
- Decent free throw shooter, averaging just under 80%.
- Shows flashes of accurate passing and court vision.
- One of the youngest players in the draft, displaying potential for further development.
Weaknesses
- Struggled to carve out a consistent role despite being a highly regarded recruit.
- Dealt with foot injuries that affected his athleticism and explosiveness throughout the season.
- Inability to generate lift affected his dunking and rebounding ability.
- Inside-the-arc shot creation never flourished, evident in his 41% shooting percentage from two-point range.
- Negative assist-to-turnover ratio with 27 assists to 39 turnovers.
- Needs to be more aggressive offensively, only attempting 28 free throws in 28 games as a freshman.
- Must show more aggression on the glass, averaging just 2.4 rebounds per game.
- A fractured foot and subsequent surgery have limited his ability to work out for teams.
- Feasibility as a first-round pick depends on discussions with team doctors regarding his foot injury.
- If unable to regain pre-college explosiveness, it is unlikely he will have a productive pro career.
Clips
Here are some clips of Dariq Whitehead’s game!
Draft projection
Dariq Whitehead’s draft projection is a perplexing and volatile one. Initially viewed as a top-five pick and the top college prospect for the 2023 NBA Draft, Whitehead’s confidence, mental approach, and impressive size at 6'6" with scoring versatility had me excited about his potential. However, his journey took a rocky turn. A foot fracture during pre-season workouts for Duke led to surgery and a prolonged recovery process. When he returned, Whitehead struggled to regain his athleticism, lacking separation off the dribble and showing limited creativity in shot creation. He appeared top-heavy and had difficulty staying on the court for extended periods.
Throughout his freshman season, Whitehead gradually improved despite being limited to 15–30 minutes per game. His role primarily revolved around spot-up shooting, with occasional flashes of self-creation and mid-range pull-ups. Duke’s defensive scheme emphasized switching, which often resulted in Whitehead quickly passing off assignments when faced with dribble penetration. The focus was on managing his minutes and functionality.
Following the season, Whitehead underwent a second foot surgery, which raises concerns for NBA teams. Two procedures in a short span and the inability to participate in pre-draft workouts add further uncertainty. However, there is a glimmer of hope as the need for another surgery validates the belief that we have yet to witness a fully healthy Whitehead.
Considering his draft stock, Whitehead’s trajectory is highly unpredictable. His exceptional high school tape, if believed to represent his true abilities, should warrant a lottery pick. However, the college tape and lingering injury concerns could potentially push him down towards the end of the first round.
