Nets rookies Dariq Whitehead, Noah Clowney delighted by NBA debuts: ‘A surreal moment’
Saturday night’s win over the Heat was particularly memorable for a pair of the newest Nets.
First-round rookies Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead made their NBA debuts in the closing minutes of the 112-97 victory, earning a raucous reception from the Barclays Center crowd.
“I didn’t expect it, if I’m being honest,” Whitehead said. “Just coming in, they told me to be ready, so before the game is when I really kind of got in that right mindset of, ‘This just might be your first NBA game.’ Going to the [scorer’s] table, it was a surreal moment, but it was definitely one of the best to ever happen.”
The Nets selected Clowney, a power forward out of Alabama, with the 21st pick of June’s draft at the Barclays Center. They then took Whitehead, a small forward out of Duke, with the very next pick.
The duo made a bit of Nets history when they checked in together with 2:35 remaining in Saturday’s game. Whitehead (19 years, 116 days) became the second-youngest player to appear in a game for the Nets, while Clowney (19 years, 134 days) became the third-youngest. Only Derrick Favors (19 years, 104 days) was younger when he debuted in 2010.
“Obviously, it’s the end of the game and it was pretty much over, so people weren’t playing the hardest on the opposing team,” Clowney said. “But when you got in there and you’re playing with them, even for that short time, it kind of gives you a sense of confidence.”
Whitehead, who hails from Newark, underwent a pair of surgeries on his right foot before he was drafted by the Nets and spent the offseason rehabbing. He scored his first NBA point on a free throw and added a block Saturday, while Clowney grabbed his first NBA rebound.
“They’re part of us, and for them to get their first official minutes, see their jersey, in the jersey, run up and down the floor, it’s a little bit of a glimpse into the future, which is good,” coach Jacque Vaughn said.
Whitehead and Clowney had both played with the G League affiliate Long Island Nets before taking the floor with the NBA club.
“I love it,” said Nets veteran Cam Johnson. “You got to think so much hard work and dedication and everything else that came with it went into this moment, and for them to be able to put the jersey on and play in a real meaningful game, get their first stats and just check that off the bucket list is pretty cool.”
He continued, “I told Dariq my first point in the NBA came off [after I] missed the first free throw, made my second free throw, so I told him it’s a great way to start his career.”
Another Nets rookie, second-round pick Jalen Wilson, made his NBA debut Nov. 1 in Miami.
