The Memphis Grizzlies are signing former first-round pick Dariq Whitehead to a 10-day contract, agent James Dunleavy of Excel Sports told ESPN on Friday. The move brings the young forward back to an NBA roster after he spent the start of this season playing for the OKC Blue in the NBA G League.
Whitehead was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets following a standout collegiate season at Duke. However, his professional career has been significantly impacted by injuries. He appeared in only 22 games for Brooklyn across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons while recovering from multiple foot procedures that limited his availability.
During his time in the G League this season, the 6-foot-6 forward has been working to regain the explosive athleticism that made him one of the top high school recruits in the country. The Grizzlies, a franchise known for its ability to develop young talent, will use this 10-day window to evaluate Whitehead's progress and determine if he can provide a spark to their wing rotation as they navigate the latter half of the schedule.
The signing comes as Memphis looks to bolster its depth for the stretch run of the regular season. If Whitehead impresses during this short-term stint, the team will have the option to sign him to a second 10-day contract before deciding on a potential rest-of-season deal.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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