2022 Montverde G/F Dariq Whitehead talks about his freshman season, recruitment and more

<p>Over at Montverde, the Eagles continue to add talent and develop really good young prospects in the process.</p> <p>One of the key risers there is 2022 6'6", 203-pound guard/forward Dariq Whitehead.</p> <p>He got his feet wet on the varsity squad a season ago and his recruitment is heating up already.</p> <p>Whitehead currently has offers from Seton Hall, Arkansas and Rutgers. He says that Florida, Maryland, North Carolina State, Auburn, LSU, West Virginia and Arizona have all shown strong interest.</p> <blockquote> <p>"All of the schools have said many great things about my game," Whitehead told Prep Hoops. "Most of them say they like the way I score the ball and some compliment me picking it up on defense lately and they love the way I attack the rim."</p> </blockquote> <p>He discussed his freshman season with Montverde and playing for head coach Kevin Boyle.</p> <blockquote> <p>"My past season with Montverde was good even though I didn’t play as much as I would have liked. I feel like I got to learn a lot by being around the group of players that I was with such as having a great work ethic and coming to practice every day ready and prepared to work.</p> <p>...Coach Boyle progressed my game by making me do the little things such as up the line in defense and rebounding on the offensive end which allowed me to become a better offensive player and also allowed me to score more. Also, playing for him has taught me that if I want to play in the pros I would start having to take a lot of responsibility. I feel our team will do great this upcoming season, we have the players and coaches to get it done and we have great chemistry which plays a big part."</p> </blockquote> <p>Whitehead spent the last year playing for AOT on the Nike EYBL circuit.</p> <blockquote> <p>"They have taught me a lot, such as working hard every day and making no excuses," he said. "Every time we are in a game, they stay on me about going hard every play and taking no plays off which will help me now but more in the near future."</p> </blockquote> <p>In terms of his top strengths, Whitehead pointed to his ability to attack the rim, be an all-around scorer, his defensive intensity and shooting ability. He says his jump shot was changed recently and he's continuing to improve it. He also says he wants to keep his motor always going and his leadership on the court.</p> <p>Whitehead creates so much for his teammates with his ability to fly down the floor, high IQ ballhandling, stretch play and scoring prowess. He is a lengthy and strong player who is just hitting the peak of his true talents. Whitehead will get stronger, taller, faster and bouncier. His smarts will take him a long way and I expect after this season, he'll have much more than only three offers. Montverde is developing him the right way and should be the next big thing here soon.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Good drop off feed here 2021 guard Langston Love to 2022 guard Dariq Whitehead. <a href="https://twitter.com/dariq_whitehead?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dariq_whitehead</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/lhlv4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lhlv4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MVABasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MVABasketball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopExchange?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoopExchange</a> <a href="https://t.co/DdjPT3IGQE">pic.twitter.com/DdjPT3IGQE</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1177992707677048833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>