Dariq Whitehead 2023 NBA Draft Profile
Dariq Whitehead 2023 NBA Draft Profile
Height/Weight/Age: 6’6″/193 lbs/19 years old
Primary Position: Wing
Freshman Season Stats: 8.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.0 APG, 42.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 79.3 FT%, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.4 TOPG
Strengths: Shooting, Tough Shot-making, Playmaking
Dariq Whitehead is one of the best pure shooters in this year’s draft class. Whitehead made 42.9% of his 3-pointers on over three attempts per game last season. He’s got a buttery smooth stroke and a high release. Whitehead shot 44.3% (35/78) on catch-and-shoot attempts last season. He was in the 94th percentile for catch-and-shooters and in the 85th percentile as a spot-up scorer last season. Additionally, Whitehead shot 40.5% on contested spot-up 3s.
Dariq Whitehead is a very good three-point shooter. He thrives as a shooter off the catch. High release and great shot preparation. He’ll be able to thrive off the ball at the next level. He improved so much as a shooter from when I first watched him as an underclassman in high… pic.twitter.com/Tagt1Hm6aO
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) June 9, 2023
Aside from being a great pure shooter, Whitehead is a great shooter off movement and off-the-dribble as he shot 36.4% on off-the-dribble 3s last season. He shoots step-backs, fadeaways, turnarounds and pull-ups all with ease. Because of this, teams at the next level will be able to utilize him in a ton of actions offensively. He didn’t show a ton of burst last season off-the-dribble but utilizes jab-steps and a decent change in pace to create separation.
Dariq Whitehead is a skilled shot-maker. He has a high scoring ceiling due to his ability to make difficult pull-up jumpers like this.
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) June 9, 2023
He showed flashes of self-creation like he used to consistently do in high school. Can be easy to forget about what he was previously doing.… pic.twitter.com/KtiiglfdAQ
Whitehead averaged just an assist per game and 27 total assists to 39 turnovers in his freshman campaign. Despite that, I think Whitehead has potential as a secondary ball-handler and a pick-and-roll ball-handler. He’ll be limited as a playmaker because of his lack of burst and a great handle, but I think he can be a good decision-maker.
Dariq Whitehead is set for a big career in the NBA.
— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) January 16, 2023
His three-level scoring, quick twitch athleticism and handles are key elements to his success so far.
Also shows a ton of flashes of his playmaking, f.e. this P&R sequence. pic.twitter.com/js6vxVmOzn
Weaknesses: Defense, Rim Pressure, Injury concerns
Whitehead has all the tools to be a great defender and at his apex could be one of the best 3-and-D wings in all of basketball. He’s got a strong base and a 6-foot-10 wingspan. While Whitehead possesses all the physical tools to be successful on defense, his effort and intensity need some work. Whitehead routinely fell asleep off-ball and failed to contain quicker, smaller and shiftier guards on-ball. Additionally, Whitehead struggled to play a great part as a team defender. There were too many instances where he didn’t make smart rotations or good decisions when defending the pick-and-roll.
Whitehead has one of the purest perimeter scoring skill sets in the draft but really struggled to create and finish attempts at the rim at Duke. First, Whitehead shot just 44% on at-rim attempts in the half-court and 41% on two-point attempts last season. Whitehead’s struggles can be attributed to his lack of a great handle and elite athleticism. Whitehead had a noticeable lack of verticality, burst of the dribble and overall explosiveness last season.
The biggest area of concern for Dariq Whitehead is his struggles finishing at the rim. He lacks explosiveness and struggled to draw fouls. Limited burst and handle didn’t allow him to create clean looks at the rim. Only one dunk in the half-court all year. He shot 41% inside the… pic.twitter.com/e7taE2tmOR
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) June 9, 2023
The caveat we must mention all of these concerns is Whitehead’s injury history. It’s important to note that Whitehead’s overall struggles are in part due to a foot fracture he suffered in August of 2021. Whitehead underwent surgery immediately after the injury happened, but the fracture never healed properly. Whitehead underwent a second surgery earlier this month to correct the initial surgery. It’s unclear how much the foot fracture and recovery impacted his defensive struggles and lack of explosiveness.
Best Fits: Indiana, Charlotte, San Antonio
As good as Whitehead is as a shooter, the team that drafts him will be able to utilize him in a myriad of actions. Whitehead should thrive off dribble handoffs, pin downs, spot-up attempts and relocating off-ball. Indiana is a potential destination as they have a lead ball-handler that Whitehead would succeed alongside and a ton of young talent. Charlotte was the second-worst 3-point shooting team last season and needs shooters. San Antonio is also stockpiling young talent and needs 3-point shooting.
Player Comparison: Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes was one hell of an athlete coming out of North Carolina, so this comparison could be for both scenarios for Whitehead. If his athletic traits return in the NBA, he could be more like a younger Barnes that could also drive the lane. If they don’t, Whitehead projects to be similar to an older Barnes that is a sharpshooter.
Draft Projection: Late First Round
There’s a real boom or bust feel to Whitehead and his game. It’s important to reflect on how highly touted Whitehead was coming out of high school. He was the top-ranked small forward and third-overall prospect coming out of his high school class. He also was named Naismith Prep Player of the Year his senior year in 2022.
If the second surgery on his foot brings his athleticism and burst back, he could be a complete scorer and a defensive plus. If those imperative parts of his skill set don’t return, he could be pigeonholed as a spot-up shooter and closeout attacker. I’ve got a late first-round grade on Whitehead, but he’s one of the youngest players in the draft and has major upside.
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