Blue Devil Country

Only One Duke Basketball Product Gets NBA Draft Green Room Invite

Duke basketball's Dariq Whitehead still has an outside shot at joining the club.

Matt Giles

Only One Duke Basketball Product Gets NBA Draft Green Room Invite
Only One Duke Basketball Product Gets NBA Draft Green Room Invite /
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It's no sure thing that Dereck Lively II will hear his name before fellow Duke basketball one-and-done Dariq Whitehead at the NBA Draft. But with only a little more than a week until the big night on June 22 and Lively now more often popping up as a projected late lottery pick, the best bet is he'll be the first Blue Devil off the board.

That prediction looks firmer as of the report on Tuesday afternoon from ESPN's Jonathan Givony listing the 19 players who have received invites to the green room.

Lively is on the list. Whitehead is not.

However, Givony noted that the expectation is for four or five more invites to go out later this week. The total number of invites for the 2022 NBA Draft reached 25.

Thus far, the invites match ESPN's ranking of the best available prospects. Lively sits at No. 13. As for the injury-tested Whitehead, he is at No. 26 in ESPN's eyes, suggesting he has a slim yet realistic chance of being in the last batch of invitees.

RELATED: Dariq Whitehead "Gonna Come Back Better Than Ever"

While having the opportunity to attend the draft at floor level in front of the podium alongside family is a dream come true for any prospect, Givony cautioned that the green-room invite alone is by no means a guarantee of a first-round selection:

"Receiving an invitation is considered a positive sign for a player's draft stock, although there have been instances in the past of prospects falling to the second round while sitting in the green room..."

Last year, the NBA Draft green room included three Duke basketball talents: Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams, and AJ Griffin. Banchero became the top overall draft pick to the Orlando Magic, while Williams landed with the Charlotte Hornets at No. 15, followed by Griffin at No. 16 to the Atlanta Hawks.

RELATED: List of Every Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily 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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