It’s only two games one in the G League, one in the NBA, in six days but for Dariq Whitehead who’s been down so long it has to look like up to him.
Since the start of the new season, one thing was certain when it came to the Long Island Nets. It would be less about the wins and losses and all about the development of the players. The NBA G-League serves as the start of one’s NBA career or a chance at redemption. In some cases, a player comes to the G-League to heal up from an injury and get back on track.
That’s what we saw with Dariq Whitehead. Nearly a week ago, Dariq Whitehead played what’s likely his last game for the foreseeable future as a Long Island Net. In doing so, he tallied 26 points and had arguably his best game since he’s been drafted out of Duke in June 2023, not long after his second foot surgery.
In 36 minutes on the court for Long Island, the fluid wing finished with 26 points, shooting 9-of-18 from field goal range, making six from beyond the arc. He also recorded four rebounds and one assist.
The Brooklyn Nets have been keeping an eye on him and had to be very happy with what they saw in that game. So, the next day, Whitehead was recalled by Brooklyn who flew him from Toronto to San Francisco. On Monday night, Whitehead had his best game in an NBA uniform, even if in defeat. He led the team in points with 18, going 6-of-10 from deep, and picked up two rebounds, two steals, one block, and one assist.
In the post-game interview, Whitehead spoke about what helped his confidence, and spoiler alert, it had to do with Long Island. “It was a huge part (finding my confidence), scoring that 26 in the G-League,” said Whitehead. “It brought back that confidence I’ve been missing for two years. That was a huge step for me in getting ready for tonight.”
A large part of why Whitehead was able to get back on track when it came to an NBA career was because of Long Island Nets head coach Mfon Udofia. Udofia has a great eye for talent, and that’s very abundantly clear looking at how Noah Clowney has developed and the player he turned into. Indeed, at the end of last season after Clowney showed what he’d learned in Uniondale, interim head coach Kevin Ollie shouted out Udofia.
When NetsDaily had the chance to speak to Udofia at Media Day, he said he hoped to see Whitehead develop the same way Clowney did.
“Our goal here on Long Island is to develop the next roster player,” says Udofia. “With Dariq, we treated him as such. We want to develop him so he can eventually get reps in the NBA and see time in the NBA. His habits, of course being a professional, and just his skill level on the court are all things we like to develop here.”
Despite his success with Clowney, Udofia was sure to mention that he didn’t want Whitehead to be the “next Noah Clowney.” The most important thing for Udofia when it came to Whitehead was that Whitehead was ready to work when he came to Long Island.
“He knows what we’re about,” said Udofia. “He understands his next steps and what it takes to be a bonafide NBA player.”
Long Island Nets GM Matt Macdonald, echoed Udofia’s statements. “Whether it’s Dariq or any other player who is coming down to Long Island to play, the most important thing is coming here with the attention to work every single day,” added Macdonald. “With Noah last year, it takes time for any young player. Day one, he’ll tell you, it was a process that he had to work every single day to get to where he is now. Whether it’s Dariq or any other young guys, we’re here to get these guys better.”
Whitehead had a long road ahead of him. He had to overcome a trio of foot and leg surgeries since he was drafted only two years ago at No. 22 in the 2023 NBA Draft. His last surgery, to repair a shin issue, took place January when he underwent a procedure for a stress reaction to his shin.
Whitehead told NetsDaily this was the best he’d felt since he got drafted. “Going out there, playing at the highest level I can play at, I feel like I can finally do that,” said Whitehead. “I’m very confident because of the way my body is starting to feel compared to where it was last year, I’m super confident.”
Whitehead came into his time on the Long Island Nets with a whole new perspective. “It’s not about coming down here to get 30,” Whitehead said. “I’m the type of player who comes down here and makes my teammates better. It’s not about me, it’s about making the right plays, scoring when needed, and coming down here to do what’s needed.
“If I’m being completely honest, last year I just got drafted and was in the wrong mindset. I didn’t take playing in the G-League the right way like I should have. This year, I came into it with a clearer mind and want to be here and develop that leadership role.”
Of course, two games in a week, one in the G League, one in the NBA doesn’t a success make. It’s still a very small sample but after two years of frustration, it’s a start.
As the new campaign is still just getting underway on Long Island, the Nets G League affiliate finds itself at a brutal 2-7. This is not an ideal start for any team to any season. However, the bigger story here is the development, and it looks like the Long Island Nets found their first success story of the season—Dariq Whitehead.