Brooklyn Nets rookie Dariq Whitehead was diagnosed with a left shin stress reaction last week and will return to action following a full recovery, the team announced.
Whitehead had two surgeries on his right foot before joining the Nets last year. He missed summer league and was limited in training camp after undergoing the second procedure in June with bone grafting for a fifth metatarsal Jones fracture.
The 19-year-old was cleared for game action and started the season in the G League with the Long Island Nets, logging 17 appearances before suffering his latest setback. He doesn’t have a timetable for when he may return, according to Evan Barnes of Newsday.
Dariq Whitehead on his left shin stress reaction recovery timeline. “We're still figuring that out with coaches & some of the front staff so just making sure we make all the right precautions to make sure I’m back in time for next year and not having any problems (or setbacks).”
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) January 23, 2024
Whitehead, who last played with Long Island on Jan. 8, is averaging 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 38.2% shooting from the field. He has scored in double figures seven times, including a season-high 15 points and six rebounds on Dec. 7.
The organization expected to bring Whitehead along slowly this year after coming off two foot surgeries. The team will now formulate a rehabilitation plan for him for his shin injury and provide a timeline to return once it is available.
The Nets drafted Whitehead with the 22nd pick after averaging 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and one assist on 42.9% shooting from 3-point range as a freshman at Duke. He finished second in the ACC in 3-point percentage, the fifth-highest mark of any freshman in program history.
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