Duke forward Darik Whitehead, a projected first-round selection in next month’s NBA draft, will have a second surgical procedure on his right leg.
His representatives at Excel Sports Management confirmed the news with ESPN on Friday and said he is expected to be fully recovered by the start of the NBA regular season.
The 6-foot-7 Whitehead averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 20.6 minutes in 28 games (seven starts) during his freshman season with the Blue Devils in 2022-23. He shot 42.9 percent from 3-point distance.
Whitehead had surgery on the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot in August. Specialists recently determined that he needed a follow-up operation to properly heal the injury, according to his agents.
Whitehead, 18, was a McDonald’s All-American and the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2022, according to the 247Sports composite.
– Field Level Media