Would be hard pressed to find a guard that did more for his team on their run than Darius Whitner Darius Whitner 6'2" | PG Garner | 2026 State NC did for Garner over the last week. Whitner handled business at home vs South Garner, getting a team high 19 points in the win. Whitner then led his team across town vs Knightdale where they were able to get the upset win on the road where he once again paced his team in the scoring department. That leads us into the 3rd round Vs New Hanover where Garner had a dominant 73-44 upset win over the team many thought would be coming out of the east. That leads us into the 4th round vs Southern Durham where Darius had arguably the best game of his career regardless of setting. As a heavy underdog, Garner took Southern to the absolute brink in overtime before falling short 89-86 at the end of the 5th frame. Whitner finished with 33 Points in the last game of his career at Garner and proved to everyone that he’s a scholarship worthy talent. Whitner found his voice this season and refined it as it went along, allowing him to really impose his game on the opposition. There’s no doubt that a lot of people took major notice to the work Whitner put in on this cinderella run for Garner.

It seemed as if every time his needed some scoring, he stepped up and provided timely baskets. He saved some of his best for the second half with his team facing a major deficit he caught fire and even knocked down a huge three-point shot in the final moments to send the game to overtime.

Whitner was the most focused and impactful two way player on the floor in this one and found a way to make plays when his team simply needed them the most. Whitner is a vocal leader, demanding toughness and poise from those around him and his team really responded with him as the game went along. Whitner possesses the ability to swing a game with his outside shooting, pick apart a zone with his vision, and keep the opposition on their heels with his speed in transition. It’s very apparent that Whitner is playing with a lot of confidence and belief in his game right now. Whitner finished with 19 Points in this one and was unbelievable at both ends of the court throughout the contest. Whitner is proving capable of being the go to guy with his own offense or running your team at a high level, for Garner right now, he’s doing both at a really high level.

In a game that Garner needed firepower to match Broughton’s, Whitner was the main one on the roster to really do it. His relentless approach and competitive fire is very obvious when watching him. Whitner finished with 15 Points and 6 Rebounds in the loss. He connected on 4-11 from beyond the arc, doing whatever he could to help get his team going. Whitner provides a ton of energy defensively as well, keeping his guy in front at the point of attack and consistently harassing the opposing ball handlers. Whitner and Garner will continue to work to round into form as we get into the thick of conference play.

Whitner is another guy that just has so much high level varsity experience that you basically know what you’re getting every single time he steps onto the floor. He’s got the ability to heat up from the outside and he can be streaky from there but ultimately shoots it from outside at a pretty efficient rate. Defensively he brings a ton of energy and pressure to go with his speed being extremely useful in transition. Whitner should continue to garner recruiting attention as he stacks big performances up like that 29 point game vs Apex Friendship last week.

A point guard prospect due to have a strong senior season at Garner High; was a pivotal piece in the SW15H Elite backcourt this grassroots cycle; underrated at getting downhill and making things happen; can knock down shots at volume and be a pest on defense as well as run the show on offense; does a number of things well which warrants DII/DIII attention from college programs in terms of the next level

Whitner is a prospect to get to know with SW15H Elite on the UAA side of things. He showed he could fill up the stat sheet as a playmaker this past season at Garner High as they went 26-5 on the year and 13-1 in the Greater Neuse River Conference. He averaged 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game. As he finds his confidence shooting the ball on the perimeter, look for his recruitment to really grow.

Whitner moves into the Top 100 of the latest rankings for North Carolina’s 2026 class. He’s a rising floor general with Garner High to get to know given his activity on both ends of the floor. He knows how to keep others involved as well as make things happen with his defensive presence. Look for him to play a role for them as a top team on the NCHSAA 4A stage.