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Pre-Draft AnalysisMarch 14, 2023
Clowney propelled himself into one-and-done conversations by playing an integral role for arguably the best team in college basketball, despite being one of the youngest freshmen in the class. He fits a clear NBA mold as a mobile, long-armed, high-energy big man with legit floor-spacing ability and outstanding defensive versatility. He plays a mature style that bodes well for his long-term outlook as his thin frame continues to evolve over time. Clowney's productivity and perimeter shooting have been inconsistent, but he has played some of his best games against high-level competition, which bodes well for Alabama as it moves into the most important games of its season.-- Jonathan Givony Dec. 27, 2022
Playing for a non-sneaker-affiliated grassroots program in Team Dickerson and away from the bright lights at Dorman High School in South Carolina, it's easy to understand why Clowney slipped below the radar prior to enrolling at Alabama.
Back-to-back SEC freshman of the week honors and an impressive 16-point, 11-rebound, two-block performance in a win at No. 1-ranked Houston changed things quickly, especially once NBA scouts learned Clowney is the age of a high school senior, turning 18 only last summer. At 6-10, with a thin but well-proportioned frame, a 7-2 wingspan and excellent mobility, Clowney has strong physical tools for a big man, even though he needs to add bulk to his lanky frame.
Clowney isn't the most polished or consistent offensive player but shows nice versatility to build around long term. He steps into open 3-pointers confidently (10-for-36 in 11 games) with acceptable mechanics, attacks closeouts with his head up, is quick off his feet for above-the-rim finishes, shows ability to make basic reads and passes, and plays with the type of aggressiveness you like to see from a player his age. Defensively, he brings good energy crashing the glass and strong instincts and mobility rotating for blocks inside the paint and beyond the arc. He also shows the ability to anchor a drop defense much more effectively than most players with his level of experience, staying down on fakes patiently and being difficult to shoot over with his standing reach. His lack of strength is an issue at times guarding older players, and he's still figuring out the nuances of defending on the perimeter, struggling a bit in space because of his somewhat upright stance, but it's never due to a lack of effort.
Clowney might not yet be done growing and could still have another notch he can get to athletically, which would help him find another degree of explosiveness and physicality to match his speed and quickness getting off his feet. His decision-making is a work in progress, and his struggles from the free throw line (56%) temper some of the enthusiasm around his hot-shooting start (primarily fueled by one 5-for-12 outlier game from beyond the arc against South Dakota State). Not considered a one-and-done candidate entering the season, Clowney could benefit from another year in college to improve his frame and continue to add polish on both ends of the floor, but he certainly checks some boxes NBA teams look for in a young big man. -- Jonathan Givony Post-Draft AnalysisTeam context
The Nets were forced to pivot away from their big three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving and start a new era built around Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and a host of future draft picks. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, the fact that many of their own picks were shipped out in the failed Harden trade means they don't have much choice but to try and stay competitive, which eliminates the possibility of a full-blown rebuild we've seen on other teams. Continuing to improve their backcourt -- especially if they can find a point guard of the future to complement Spencer Dinwiddie -- looks like a priority in the short term.
Player fit
Playing very much off the radar in South Carolina, Clowney wasn't considered a one-and-done type prospect entering Alabama. He quickly changed the narrative by emerging as the starting power forward of one of the best teams in college basketball and an anchor for a stout Alabama defense that helped deliver both an SEC regular season and conference tournament championship. At 6-10, with a 7-2 wingspan, excellent mobility, and a frame that should fill out considerably, he combines strong tools with the type of floor-spacing prowess and defensive versatility every team in the NBA covets. Clowney isn't a polished offensive player, and his lack of physical strength might be an issue projecting to the short term, but he's one of the youngest prospects in the draft, has coveted two-way versatility, and is on the type of trajectory that suggests significant room for improvement down the road.-- Jonathan Givony
Pre-Draft AnalysisMarch 14, 2023
Whitehead's season was marred early by injuries, and he hasn't been able to carve out as a big role as expected even recently when healthy, playing 16 minutes per game off the bench over the past six games. Despite shooting 40% for 3 and showing strong flashes defensively, Whitehead's struggles as a decision-maker, creator and finisher have made it difficult for him to gain traction and solidify his candidacy as a first-round prospect, as there are real questions about his lack of explosiveness and ability to generate efficient offense. NBA teams say they'd like to see a lot more from Whitehead against the high-level competition the NCAA tournament offers to help reconcile his lofty standing entering college with the underwhelming production we've seen thus far.-- Jonathan Givony Feb. 4, 2023
Averaging just 8.4 points while shooting 39.7% from 2-point range, the lowest rate of any prospect in our Top 100, it's safe to say that this has been an underwhelming season for Whitehead thus far. Part of that is because of injuries, as he suffered a stress fracture in his right foot in late August that caused him to miss 2.5 months of action before appearing to sprain an ankle last week, costing him two games and counting but has a chance to return on Saturday.
Even beyond the injuries, Whitehead has struggled to be effective. He has been unable to generate high percentage opportunities for himself or others in the half-court or open floor, not being able to turn the corner against better defenders, settling for far too many floaters and midrange pull-ups, barely getting to the free throw line and showing poor decision-making, posting more turnovers than assists. His lack of explosiveness was noted in high school but has been much more problematic against higher-level competition, and his best moments offensively have come when he takes and makes difficult shots from the perimeter, something he's capable of doing (37% from 3) despite being an elevation shooter who at times releases the ball on the way down thanks to his strong shot-making prowess.
Defensively, Whitehead has had far more success, using his solid frame, long arms and high intensity level to make an impact chasing opponents around screens, closing out on the perimeter and executing his team's game plan. NBA teams are struggling to get a handle on how to evaluate Whitehead as they don't see the same upside his lofty high school recruiting ranking indicates because of his just-average physical tools and lack of productivity. The fact that he's one of the youngest players in this draft, not turning 19 until August, and shows flashes of 3-and-D potential with some occasional playmaking chops does give him something to build on as he gets healthy and hopefully continues to progress as his freshman year evolves, but scouts say they want to see a lot more from him in the next month-plus. -- Jonathan Givony May 7, 2022
Whitehead has one of the highest floors of any player in the freshman class -- a battle-tested four-year contributor at Montverde Academy who has been on the radar since he was 14. He has good size and length for a wing at 6-7 with a near 6-10 wingspan, and is a willing and capable defender who showed the ability to slow down guards and wings alike with his strong intensity level, physical style and excellent awareness off the ball. Offensively, Whitehead has made major strides with his jumper, showing the ability to hit shots in increasingly dynamic fashion, be it running off screens, pulling up in transition or playing off step-backs, although he's still very much on the streaky side, especially in terms of shot selection.
Whitehead is also a good decision-maker as a passer who was well-coached and does a lot of things that contribute to winning. He's not the most explosive athlete around, having some limitations as a ball handler and shot creator and playing a somewhat inefficient style this season, especially when his tough shots weren't falling. Still, he's one of the youngest players in this class, not turning 18 until August, and is already as proven a player as you'll find in the high school ranks. -- Jonathan Givony Jan. 21, 2022
Whitehead is the youngest American player in this mock draft, not turning 18 until August, but made his Hoophall Classic debut as a 13-year-old in 2018. A transition scorer and versatile defender who has made major strides with his pull-up jumper, Whitehead is trying to make the jump from consummate glue guy to more of a featured option on a weaker Montverde Academy team this season, something that's been a work in progress. While he undeniably has an extremely high floor as the type of two-way prospect every NBA team covets, we're still learning more about his ceiling. -- Jonathan Givony Jan. 19, 2021
Identified when he was a 13-year-old playing up on a loaded Montverde roster prior to even enrolling in high school, Whitehead has added additional facets to his game every time we've watched him the past three years. Still only 16, Whitehead stood out once again as one of the most versatile players in attendance, helping Montverde to an undefeated record while doing a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor.
Now sporting a solidly built 6-6, 190-pound frame to go along with impressive athletic ability, Whitehead was tasked with more shot-creation responsibilities than he had in the past. Able to probe with his dribble operating at different speeds, especially going to his left, Whitehead plays a mature and under control game, driving with his head up and looking for teammates while also capable of absorbing contact in the lane himself. His jumper, while not broken, remains a work in progress, as he shoots a set-shot pull-up from behind the arc and is prone to putting significant side-spin on spot-up jumpers, leading to inconsistent results.
Active and engaged defensively, Whitehead fights over screens with his quick feet, contains dribble penetration using his strong frame, contests jumpers with his length and often finishes the play by cleaning the glass. Already on an excellent trajectory, it will be interesting to see how Whitehead's jumper and overall scoring ability evolve next season when he steps into an even bigger role for Montverde as a senior. He seems well on his way to establishing himself as one of the best prospects in his class considering the steady progress he's making. -- Jonathan Givony Oct. 9, 2018
The youngest player at the USA Basketball junior team minicamp, Whitehead was also the best all-around athlete. He is dynamic in transition, can make a spot 3 despite a slow release and plays with considerable swagger for his age. His skill set could use polish, but he holds tremendous upside. -- ESPN Post-Draft AnalysisTeam context
After drafting Noah Clowney with the No. 21 pick, the Nets selected Duke's Dariq Whitehead with their second first-round pick.
Player fit
After entering the season projected in the lottery, Whitehead's one-and-done year at Duke didn't go according to plan, as he dealt with a foot injury that delayed his start to the season and never quite returned to his high school form. What he did do well was shoot the 3-ball (42% on the season), which, ironically was one of the previous concerns. The real Whitehead is probably somewhere in between the lofty expectations and the current reality. If he can stay healthy, he figures to be a useful utility wing who can supply some scoring and defense on the wing. He's only 18 years old which suggests he has plenty of time to figure it out, making him a nice pick this far down in the draft.-- Jeremy Woo
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Not a bad draft night for the Nets. I must wonder why did they select a guard when they have a truckload of them?! The key focus should be getting big after finishing at the bottom in rebounds.
I'm guessing they're going to deal Dinwiddie at some point.
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