Dariq Whitehead Scouting Report

 

By: Shanku Nair | @shanku_nair on Twitter | October 17, 2022



Vitals

Name: Dariq Whitehead
Height: 6'7
Wingspan: 6'9
Weight: 220 lbs.
Age: 18
Position: Wing (SG/SF)
High School: Montverde Academy (Class of 2022, Duke Commit)



Dariq Whitehead Strengths/Areas for Improvement

  • Solid frame and upper body strength
  • Elite scorer from all 3 levels
  • Great finisher, can finish through contact with touch around the rim
  • Displays great footwork operating in the mid-post
  • Great perimeter shooter, solid mechanics and quick release
  • Ability to shoot off the dribble, spot up, and off the catch
  • Very confident shooter, does not hesitate to pull if he has space
  • Good vision, plays with his head up, uses outlet and skip pass well
  • Plays within his limits, never forces any shot
  • Lethal in transition, great burst and can play above the rim
  • Comfortable handling the ball and facilitating
  • Great positioning on the defensive end, reads passing lanes well
  • Ability to guard 1-3, great lateral quickness
  • Effortless playstyle, silky smooth game
  • Needs to be more active on the glass
  • As a defender he can be over-aggressive to a fault
  • Overall energy/motor, occasionally fails to run the floor
  • Ball handling and driving with his left hand
  • Free Throw%
  • More aggressive, try getting to the rim more by attacking close-outs
  • Overall perimeter shot creation, needs a deeper bag
  • Mechanically, release point could be a bit higher


NBA Comparison

An NBA comparison for Dariq Whitehead would be Paul George, pure scorer who is incredibly smooth. Both Whitehead and George have very similar frames as well with George being slightly taller and similar weight. George is one of the best 2-way wings in the NBA and Whitehead projects to be in the same category. Both of these guys can score from all 3 levels at an elite level, and they are both underrated playmakers. George is an incredible defender, but on and off the ball, whereas Whitehead is solid but has great upside on the defensive end. George is a bit more crafty with the ball and has elite shot creation skills, but with Whitehead being 18 years old, this is a part of his game he will surely develop. Whitehead already has a very mature game and has all the intangibles to be a superstar in the NBA.

NBA enthusiast and student of the game. New blog posts twice a week! Let me know your thoughts and any topics you want me to cover!!

Comments

  1. Shobha SomanOctober 30, 2022 at 7:19 AM

    Enjoyed reading .. written with clarity and in-depth knowledge of the game. Must be v helpful for the players! Wishing you the best Shanku .. keep writing.

    ReplyDelete

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