Duke freshman Dariq Whitehead announced Wednesday on social media that he will forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and enter the 2023 NBA draft.
Whitehead averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and one assist on 42.9% shooting from 3-point range in 28 games. He finished second in the ACC in 3-point percentage as it was the fifth-highest mark of any freshman in program history.
He missed the first four games of the season due to a foot injury and another four games because of a leg sprain. He started a bit slowly, but settled in and scored in double figures eight times in 11 games from Dec. 10-Feb. 18. He averaged 11.1 points in that span.
🙏🏾… pic.twitter.com/fFQHXxRl7p
— Dariq whitehead (@dariq_whitehead) March 29, 2023
The 6-foot-7 forward is considered a mid-to-late first-round pick despite an uneven campaign. His shooting from beyond the arc will certainly stand out, but Whitehead showed he can be a three-level scorer at the next level and put up points in a hurry.
Whitehead arrived at Duke as the No. 2 prospect in his class and was the top player at his position. Though injuries prevented him from living up to his potential, Whitehead still figures to be a high-level draft prospect and should be in the mix to be a first-rounder on June 22.
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