The Brooklyn Nets have an abundance of young, talented players set to suit up for the 2024-25 season. Rising second-year guard and former Duke basketball standout Dariq Whitehead finds himself among the talented group. Whitehead has dealt with injuries that have hampered his production, but signs point toward him having a promising trajectory.
In late September, the Nets released a short film that focuses on Whitehead's beginnings and reveals how he is ready to take advantage of his opportunity, as seen on X (formerly Twitter):
The kid from across the Hudson.@dariq_whitehead: From Newark to Brooklyn, presented by @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/pfaDzuwhSr
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 24, 2024
Dariq Whitehead was born in Newark, New Jersey. Growing up, White said he wanted to be a football player, an aspiration partially influenced by his brother Tahir Whitehead, who played in the NFL. However, the younger Whitehead turned his focus toward basketball when he became a teenager. He left home at 13 to attend the renowned Monteverde Academy.
White gained valuable experience during his sophomore season at Monteverde. He played alongside other highly-touted prospects such as Scottie Barnes and Cade Cunningham. During his senior year, Whitehead won the national Player of the Year award from Naismith, Gatorade, and Sports Illustrated and was a McDonald's All-American. Shortly after, White joined the Duke basketball program.
Whitehead broke his foot upon arrival to the Blue Devils but was able to come back and finish his freshman year. He averaged 8.3 points and shot a red-hot 42.9 percent on his three-pointers during the 2022-23 season. In June 2023, the Nets selected Whitehead with their 22nd overall draft pick.
How will Dariq Whitehead fare in 2024-25?
Whitehead entered the 2023-24 season recovering from the foot ailments he dealt with in college. He appeared in just two games for the Nets during the year and was later hit with a left shin stress reaction in January that ended his season.
Whitehead eventually recovered and played with the Nets during the 2024 NBA Summer League. He struggled to gain a rhythm, averaging just 5.0 points per game on 14 percent shooting from the field. He did, however, average 4.5 rebounds.
A large of Whitehead taking a step forward involves him staying healthy. In the Nets' short film, Whitehead said he cherishes Brooklyn's culture of trust with the training staff. He believes in the staff's plan to get him back to a high level.
Nets fans have a lot to look forward to during the team's rebuild, and Dariq Whitehead's final quote from the short film will only increase excitement:
"I plan on building something special here in Brooklyn," Whitehead asserted.