Blue Devil Country

Incoming Duke basketball star sets record straight about his height

Dariq Whitehead possesses a forward-like frame with a guard-like game.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball signee Dariq Whitehead (Landon Bost-USA TODAY Sports)

Any recruit's listed height can vary by an inch or two from site to site. That said, prized 2022 Duke basketball signee Dariq Whitehead let one fan know this week that a three-inch discrepancy is just plain unacceptable in his eyes.

Whitehead, a sizzling playmaker from powerhouse Montverde Academy (Fla.) who finished No. 2 overall on the 247Sports 2022 Composite, adamantly tweeted that he's 6-foot-7 after seeing someone refer to him as only 6-foot-4:

A Duke basketball talent not constrained to one position

Yes, Dariq Whitehead could handle many perimeter duties for Duke next season. He has not objected to that assumption. Undoubtedly, he has proved more than competent in the backcourt for Montverde and in AAU action.

At the same time, though, the 17-year-old New Jersey native is taller than an average guard and enjoys a versatile skillset inside the arc. Therefore, Whitehead appears as a small forward on most sites. 

But the Whitehead-at-the-two discussion is picking up steam in light of former Blue Devil shooting guard Trevor Keels' decision on Wednesday to keep his name in the 2022 NBA Draft and forgo his three years of remaining college eligibility.

Plus, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the lightfooted Whitehead more than capably operate as the team's floor general whenever junior point guard Jeremy Roach gets a breather. And if he's being honest about his height, it's even conceivable that he could be a power forward in a small-ball lineup from time to time. 

In a matter of weeks, Dariq Whitehead will move to Durham for summer school and bonding time alongside the five other members of the nation's top-ranked recruiting class. Shortly after their arrival, the program will likely release a roster, at which point we will discover all of the newbies' official listed heights as Blue Devils.

Those other five incoming Duke freshmen are five-star center Dereck Lively, three-star center Christian Reeves, five-star power forward Kyle Filipowski, five-star small forward Mark Mitchell, and four-star shooting guard Jaden Schutt.

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

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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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