NBA Future Watch: Dariq Whitehead Basketball Cards, Brooklyn Nets – Dariq Whitehead, brother of an NFL linebacker, comes from an athletic family. He has capitalized on that fact to become a top prospect. Leg injuries have been an issue over the past two seasons, but brighter days appear ahead once Whitehead returns from shin surgery next season.
Departing his native Newark, NJ at age 13 for Montverde Academy, Whitehead developed as anticipated. The led the team to national championships in his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Whitehead averaged 16.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1.5 SPG en route to a slew of honors. He was the top-rated small forward (and #2 player overall) in the Class of 2022 by ESPN, top-rated player overall by Rivals, Sports Illustrated’s 2022 All-American Player of the Year and 2022 Naismith High School Player of the Year. Whitehead was also the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game. As a five-star recruit, Whitehead had his choice of top programs in the country. He enrolled at Duke.
On a deep squad and dealing with the leg issues, Whitehead made a mere seven starts, but he stood out enough to attract the attention of pro scouts with .793 FT% and .429 3%. Selected by Brooklyn in the 2023 NBA Draft, Whitehead essentially had a redshirt season with time to plan out his future development. An excellent shooter and defender with plus-athleticism, Whitehead’s targeted areas of improvement are ballhandling and secondary playmaking. Which, if achieved, would place him among the most well-rounded players in the NBA. That said, nothing will be more important to Whitehead and the Nets than his health. If restored, it will mark him as one of the greatest draft values of the last decade.
Whitehead’s cards and stickers date back to 2022, with Panini, Donruss, Hoops, Elite and Immaculate all represented. Parallels and inserts are available, as is a range of memorabilia, much of it autographed.
NBA Future Watch: Dariq Whitehead – Stats
Statistical image generated on Sports Reference 03/25/2024.
NBA Future Watch: Dariq Whitehead Basketball Cards, Brooklyn Nets – More Resources
- Beckett Card Catalog
- NBA.com Player Profile
- 2023 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Collegiate Basketball Cards Checklist
- 2023-24 Panini Hoops NBA Basketball Cards Checklist
NBA Future Watch: Dariq Whitehead Basketball Cards, Brooklyn Nets – Image Gallery
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