Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead have been assigned to the Long Island Nets

The two rookies are among the youngest players in the league

Whitehead is confirmed as the second-youngest player in the league, with only GG Jackson of the Memphis Grizzlies being younger than him. On the other hand, Clowney is the fourth-youngest.

The Nets are being deliberate in nurturing these two young players due to their immense potential. Contrasting them with the 22-year-old rookie Jalen Wilson, a second-round pick, who's seen as more NBA-ready and is thus part of the main team, it's clear that Clowney requires valuable G-League minutes. At the same time, Whitehead will get his conditioning up with the Long Island Nets.

The potential of both prospects

A four-star recruit out of high school, Clowney was a solid freshman for the University of Alabama, posting averages of 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.5 stocks (combined steals and blocks) per game. 

He was voted into the SEC All-Freshman team, helping Alabama to win its conference tournament and making it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

On the other hand, Whitehead was a five-star recruit, ranked often in the top 3 of the Class of 2022. Standing at 6’7”, Whitehead is an exceptionally athletic wing player. His standout skill lies in his catch-and-shoot ability, boasting an impressive 44% accuracy with stationary jumpers. 

Additionally, he maintains a promising track record with an average of 8.3 points and a 42.9% success rate from beyond the arc, making him a noteworthy shooter for the Nets' long-time future.

This G-League assignment will likely pan out well for both prospects as they need quality minutes to warm up to the professional ranks. They are young player who need reps, and much needed confidence ahead of call-ups to the main squad.