Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Dariq Whitehead Heats Up in Fifth Career NBA Outing

The former Duke basketball one-and-done increased his career points total sixfold.

Matt Giles

Former Duke basketball forward Dariq Whitehead
Former Duke basketball forward Dariq Whitehead / Mike Watters-Imagn Images
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Dariq Whitehead received a career-high 24 minutes off the bench for the injury-riddled Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. Sure, the 2022-23 Duke basketball forward's effort came in a 128-102 road loss to the Chicago Bulls. Nevertheless, in light of injuries that have plagued him since his one-and-done campaign in Durham, it constitutes a breakout performance by the former No. 22 overall draft pick.

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The 20-year-old Whitehead finished with 18 points, 18 more than he scored between his only other two outings this season and six times more than his total from his two-game NBA sophomore season last go-round after sitting out his rookie year while recovering from a foot injury.

Plus, it's worth noting that he led the Nets in scoring and 3-point splashes, shooting 6-for-10 beyond the arc while adding two rebounds, one assist, two steals, one block, and only one turnover.

And Whitehead, who averaged 8.3 points and delivered a team-high 42.9 shooting percentage from deep across 28 Duke basketball games under then-first-year head coach Jon Scheyer, posted a Nets-high plus/minus of -3 among the squad's nine players who saw at least 15 minutes of action against the Bulls.

Whitehead and the Brooklyn Nets (9-13) are now preparing to host the Indiana Pacers (9-12) at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Five-Star Duke Prospect Alijah Arena in Process of Reclassifying

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more NBA Blue Devil updates and other Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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