Blazers mock draft roundup: ‘Disruptive defender’ at pick No. 23?

CBS Sports Mock No. 1: Dariq Whitehead, Duke, Forward

Dariq Whitehead was among the top college recruits in the class of 2022 and was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year as a high school senior. During his freshman year at Duke, Whitehead averaged 8.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.8 steals per game on 41/41/89  shooting splits.

Although his numbers at Duke weren’t overly impressive, Whitehead still flashes the upside that made him a top recruit. He utilizes his 6-7 frame and elite shooting to score, which should translate well to the next level.

The main question surrounding Whitehead will be his injury history, as he recently had his second foot surgery. He’s “expected to be fully recovered for the start of NBA training camp,” according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

However, that still has to be a concern for most teams heading into the draft regarding Whitehead’s agility, ability to defend, and the chance of recurrence.

CBS Sports analyst Kyle Boone wrote: “Whitehead had a topsy-turvy season at Duke and didn’t quite live up to expectations as a five-star, consensus top-five recruit, in part because of injuries and inconsistencies that resulted from that.”

If Whitehead is still available at pick No. 23, he certainly could warrant the pick as a high-risk, high-reward prospect.