The Jimmy V Classic: top 3 NBA draft observations featuring Dariq Whitehead, Dillon Mitchell, and more

The Jimmy V Classic has become one of the top events in college basketball. With that comes a flurry of NBA scouts and personnel with their eyes on incoming NBA draft prospects.

Tuesday night's slate of games featured a plethora of NBA draft talent for evaluators to take a closer look at. The first game of the Jimmy V Classic featured the Texas Longhorns and the Illinois Fighting Illini. The game was a battle and ended up needing overtime to decide the winner.

Illinois went on to defeat the second-ranked Texas Longhorns by a score of 85- 78. The following game featured the Duke Blue Devils and the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Duke team eventually prevailed with a score of 74–62.

Both matches featured a lengthy list of players who are projected to be named in the 2023 NBA draft. Take a look at some of the top takeaways from the Jimmy V Classic.

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Top 3 Observations from Jimmy V Classic

Jimmy V Classic - Duke v Iowa

Coming into the 2022- 23 Jimmy V Classic, plenty of names were generating buzz in NBA draft circles. The Duke Blue Devils were featured on one of the most intriguing rosters. Incoming freshmen Dariq Whitehead and Dereck Lively were projected in the preseason to be potential top-10 selections.

Both Whitehead and Lively have gotten off to a slow start this season. Much of that is due to preseason injuries that have forced the talented duo to get their conditioning back.

The Texas Longhorns also featured some notable prospects. Those included freshman Dillon Mitchell and sophomore transfer guard Tyrese Hunter.

#3 Iowa Hawkeyes Kris Murray struggles

Iowa Hawkeyes junior forward Kris Murray

One player who has been generating a lot of attention lately in the NCAA is Iowa Hawkeyes junior Kris Murray, the brother of Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray, who has been sensational for the Hawkeyes this year.

Coming into Tuesday night's game against the Duke Blue Devils, Kris was averaging 21.0 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Scouts were intrigued to see what Murray could do going up against a talented Duke team. Unfortunately, it wasn't the performance that Murray had hoped for.

He went on to finish with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting just 3-of-9 from the floor. Murray has done enough this year to intrigue NBA scouts with his potential at the next level. Teams will be watching closely to see how he performs in conference play moving forward.

#2 Scouts torn on Texas Longhorns freshman Dillon Mitchell

Texas Longhorns freshman forward Dillon Mitchell

Coming into the 2022- 23 NCAA season, Texas Longhorns freshman Dillon Mitchell was viewed as a potential lottery selection. Mitchell was the fourth-ranked player in ESPN's high school basketball rankings coming into the year.

Listed at 6'8", Mitchell has the tools to be a defensive nightmare. He's one of the most athletic players in college basketball and can live above the rim with his leaping ability. But Mitchell has struggled this season when it comes to the offensive side of the floor.

He went on to finish Tuesday night's game with just 4 points and 3 rebounds in 24 minutes. For the season, Mitchell has averaged just 7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. There's no denying the upside that Mitchell has, but his role offensively this year has been limited for the Longhorns.

#1 Duke Blue Devils freshman Dariq Whitehead trending

Duke Blue Devils freshman wing Dariq Whitehead

The name that was generating the most buzz in NBA draft circles was Duke Blue Devils freshman Dariq Whitehead. Coming into the 2022-23 season, Whitehead was viewed as a potential top-5 selection in the NBA draft.

After a preseason foot injury, Whitehead didn't make his debut until the fourth game of the season. Dariq's conditioning looks to be lacking as he attempts to work himself back into game shape.

Dariq Whitehead was the second-ranked high school basketball player by ESPN coming into the year. At 6'6", Whitehead is a physical guard with potential as a two-way weapon. Against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Jimmy V Classic, he displayed flashes of his potential and appeared to be on the right track. Whitehead finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 21 minutes against Iowa.