Duke basketball reveals Dariq Whitehead status for UNC game

Duke basketball freshman Dariq Whitehead won't play against the Tar Heels.

Matt Giles | Feb 4, 2023

Duke basketball reveals Dariq Whitehead status for UNC game /

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Duke Blue Devils

Duke basketball rookie playmaker Dariq Whitehead will not be available to play when the unranked Blue Devils (16-6, 7-4 ACC) welcome the unranked UNC Tar Heels (15-7, 7-4 ACC) to Cameron Indoor Stadium at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN), the program announced on Saturday afternoon.

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The 6-foot-7, 220-pound small forward out of Montverde Academy (Fla.) sat out the Blue Devils' past two games — both Duke wins — while recovering from a lower left leg sprain. He sustained the injury while trying to intercept a pass early in the second half of the team's road loss against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Jan. 23.

On Thursday, first-year Blue Devil head coach Jon Scheyer told the media that the hope was for Whitehead to practice that day for the first time since the injury. He noted that employing the former five-star recruit against UNC was possible but not guaranteed.

So it is not a big surprise that the projected one-and-done isn't yet ready to return to game action.

Dariq Whitehead has been on the floor in 16 of the Duke basketball team's 22 contests this season, averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 20.2 minutes per appearance. In ACC play, though, he's the Blue Devils' third-leading scorer at 10.0 points per outing; he's played in eight conference games.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

Published Feb 4, 2023

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.