Pro Insight scout on Dariq Whitehead
Bull City Hoops goes in depth with Michael Visenberg of Pro Insight on incoming freshman Dariq Whitehead.
Sometimes, in order to determine who the most talented freshman will be when it comes to Duke, the best way to see is to simply wait for them to step on the court. A handful of games into the season, someone will generally emerge.
A few years ago, RJ Barrett, Cameron Reddish and Zion Williamson were all prized, elite, five-star recruits. Some scouts felt Barrett would be the best. Some thought it would be Reddish. Williamson was the wild card. But it was Zion who emerged as the best of the bunch in Durham.
Next season, Dariq Whitehead, Kyle Filipowski, Dereck Lively II and Mark Mitchell will likely battle for the same status. Lively is coveted as the best defender. Filipowski as the most skilled. Mitchell is an athletic and versatile specimen. But Whitehead has seemingly taken his game to another level.
And many folks are starting to think Whitehead may emerge as the best of the talented Duke bunch.
Bull City Hoops reached out to Oregon native, and respected basketball scout, Michael Visenberg of Pro Insight, who saw the scoring wing from the Montverde Academy at the recent Nike Hoop Summit.
Visenberg spoke glowingly about the five-star 2023 prep star — he said a lot about the 6-foot-7 star.
“Think he was the best Duke prospect at the Hoop Summit between all five commits,” he said. “Might be the frontrunner for best prospect at the event overall as well — checks so many boxes with what you look for in terms of pro potential on the wing.”
He went deeper with his thoughts — getting into the specifics of Whitehead’s diverse skill-set.
“Think he was the best Duke prospect at the Hoop Summit between all five commits.” — Michael Visenberg
“Great size, strength, length, can handle the ball. (He’s) a good passer and showed he could score in a number of ways, on or off ball.
“Really good hands,” he continued. “That’ll help him finish near the hoop and he uses them well on defense. Big possibilities as a two-way wing.
“Shooting seemed to be great one day and streaky the next, but during the game it really came together.”
One particular sequence really stood out to Visenberg as he watched him in Portland.
“Best play with him was the step-back he had in the second quarter of the game, where he went between the legs and got space on Sidy Cissoko. Really let the game come to him, was a playmaker on both ends.”
Once December rolls around, most Duke fans may have a consensus for the best freshman next season. And as of right now, that status is up for grabs. But a lot of endorsements and confidence is in favor of Whitehead as we head into the summer months.