Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Basketball Sharpshooter Drains First NBA Field Goal

Duke basketball product Dariq Whitehead's first NBA bucket from the field was a smooth floater in the lane.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Russell Lansford-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Dariq Whitehead, a former five-star recruit who went No. 22 overall to the Brooklyn Nets at the 2023 NBA Draft following his one-and-done Duke basketball campaign, was out of commission for Summer League and preseason action while recovering from a second procedure on his once-fractured right foot that he underwent in May.

He's since played 13 G League games for the Long Island Nets, averaging 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 18.2 minutes per outing.

In late November, the 19-year-old forward made his NBA debut. He received three minutes of mop-up duty and recorded his first point — via a 1-for-2 clip at the charity stripe — and first block in league. But he did not have a field goal attempt.

Whitehead, who shot 42.9 percent from downtown as a Blue Devil and improved throughout the year after bouncing back from the foot injury he sustained two months before the season began, hadn't been on the floor for the Brooklyn Nets since that night.

On Wednesday night, though, in a 144-122 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks (23-8), Whitehead logged 21 minutes off the bench.

Granted, his stat line, which included four boards and three dimes, was far from stellar.

That said, he didn't commit a turnover. And despite shooting only 1-for-5 from the field, including an 0-for-3 mark beyond the arc, he's sure to always remember the following silky floater that he swished with four minutes and change remaining in the fourth quarter.

After all, it goes down as his first made NBA field goal:

Brooklyn (15-16) boasts another former Duke basketball one-and-done in Harry Giles. The 25-year-old big man, who is on an NBA roster for the first time since 2020-21, also sits quite deep on the Nets' bench. However, his playing time is bit more consistent than Dariq Whitehead's.

Against the Bucks, Giles played six minutes, tallying one point and four rebounds. It was his ninth appearance this season. He's now averaging 3.9 points and 1.6 boards in 5.6 minutes per outing.

List of Every Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.

Published
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.

Home/NBA Blue Devils