Former first-round pick Dariq Whitehead has appeared in five straight games entering Sunday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center, the longest streak of his young career.
The 20-year-old guard had one of his best all-around performances in Thursday’s 105-90 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing with 17 points, three rebounds, one assists and no turnovers in 26 minutes. He went 5-for-9 from 3-point range, his second game with at least five made 3s this season.
Whitehead doesn’t lack confidence from behind the arc. While he’s appeared in just 15 games this season, he’s attempted 52 total 3s, is averaging 12.2 3-point attempts per 36 minutes, and is shooting that shot at a 44.2% clip.
“You hear your teammates, and you have coaches who [tell you to] go out there and shoot 10 3s,” Whitehead said. “For me, it’s not just shooting 10 3s. I want to go out there and take shots I know I can make. So, I’m just being confident, knowing your coaches and teammates are confident in you to take those shots.”
Whitehead appeared in just two games as a rookie. He’s spent plenty of time on Long Island this season as well. But head coach Jordi Fernandez has given him ample opportunity down the stretch, and he continues to make the most of it.
That’s how you prove you belong. That’s how you establish trust.
“I’ve been out [of college] for two years,” Whitehead said. “At this point, it’s a reality check with myself. I know I’m not going to come back [in] four or five months and just gain coach’s trust. I have to continue to show that I’m working on my body, taking care of my body, doing the right things outside of basketball, so he’s comfortable with putting me in there and knowing that I’m not having any setbacks or anything.”
Whitehead’s contributions at the other end of the court can’t be overlooked, either. His defensive rating of 111.3 is the best on the team among players who have appeared in the last five games.
The Nets picked up Whitehead’s club option for 2025-26 and he’ll earn $3.2 million in the third year of his rookie-scale deal. He doesn’t turn 21 until Aug. 1. While his NBA career has gotten off to a slow start, there’s a chance that his best basketball is still ahead of him.
“Offensively, I’m going to make shots,” Whitehead said. “For me, it’s just doing the right thing. Earning coach’s trust, being in the right spots on defense, doing the right things, and from there, I know that everything else will take care of itself.”