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ACC Basketball: What to expect from league’s 2023 NBA Draft picks?

By Earlzo Singleton

Mar 19, 2023; Albany, NY, USA; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes guard Isaiah Wong (2) high fives guard Harlond Beverly (5) after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at MVP Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2023; Albany, NY, USA; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes guard Isaiah Wong (2) high fives guard Harlond Beverly (5) after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at MVP Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clemson forward Hunter Tyson Ncaa Acc Clemson Basketball Vs Usc Upstate
Clemson forward Hunter Tyson Ncaa Acc Clemson Basketball Vs Usc Upstate /

Dariq Whitehead – F, Duke University (1st round, 22nd Picks- Brooklyn Nets)

Darique Whitehead was one of the more hyped recruits since Zion Williamson arrived at Duke. He was named Mr. Basketball USA in high school over Derek Lively Jr. for the National Player of the Year award and was named McDonald’s game MVP, but injuries plagued Whitehead before he even stepped foot on campus. He had foot surgery right before enrolling at Duke and had surgery again on that same foot weeks later. There was concern that he wasn’t fully healthy at all his freshman year after averaging 8.3 points per game.

Whitehead, to some, was looked at as just a run-and-jump athlete before his arrival at Duke, but after shooting 43% from three, he proved that there’s more to his game than just the athleticism. Scouts expect the 6’7″ wing to be a major contributor on defense. The Brooklyn Nets are somewhat in rebuild mode, even though they have two well-established stars in Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikel Bridges, who both contribute on both sides of the court. Darique Whitehead, if healthy, fits the mold of exactly what the Nets need.

Hunter Tyson – F, Clemson University (2nd round, 37th Pick- Oklahoma City Thunder-Traded to Denver Nuggets)

The newly drafted Denver Nuggets forward played all four years in college. To some, that’s a cause for concern, and to others, it shows maturity. His shooting splits of 48/41/84 while averaging 15.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game earned him a spot on the All-ACC First Team. Denver’s loss of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green from last season’s championship team could open the way for the second-rounder to make an impact, and judging by his summer league stats, where he averaged 20 points per game, Tyson could surprise many.