Former UNC Basketball Standout Hits NBA Free Agency Market
After a breakout rookie contract with the Denver Mountaineers, former University of North Carolina basketball star Darius “DJ” Whitmore has officially entered the 2025 NBA free agency market — and the league is buzzing.
Whitmore, a 6’6″ shooting guard known for his electric scoring, relentless hustle, and high basketball IQ, declared free agency after his three-year, $14 million deal expired on June 30. League sources confirm that several top-tier teams — including the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics — have already expressed “serious interest” in the 24-year-old phenom, who led UNC to the Final Four in 2022 and was a consensus All-American.
Coming out of UNC, Whitmore was projected to be a late first-round pick, but after dazzling at the combine with a 44-inch vertical and clocking the fastest shuttle run, he jumped to 12th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. His first year in Denver saw flashes of brilliance — a 28-point outburst against Golden State, back-to-back game-winners in February, and a defensive clinic against Luka Dončić that turned heads around the league.
But it was his 2024-25 season that cemented him as one of the NBA’s rising stars. Averaging 17.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 41% from three-point range, Whitmore emerged as a cornerstone piece on a young but inconsistent Mountaineers squad. His fiery competitiveness, evident since his days in Chapel Hill under Coach Hubert Davis, translated seamlessly to the pro level.
Now, with his rookie contract in the rearview, Whitmore is poised to make the leap — both in salary and spotlight.
“This isn’t just about the money,” Whitmore told HoopWire on Tuesday. “It’s about fit. Culture. I want to win. I want to be part of something bigger.”
That mindset aligns closely with the Heat’s development model, insiders suggest, while Boston’s need for bench scoring and youth infusion makes them a likely suitor. Meanwhile, the Clippers, long seeking to replace aging backcourt depth, view Whitmore as a potential two-way starter with room to grow into a star.
“He plays with that old-school chip UNC guys are known for,” one anonymous scout said. “Tough, smart, and fearless. He reminds me of a young Jimmy Butler with a better jumper.”
Whitmore’s agent, former NBA point guard Raymond Felton — also a UNC alum — confirmed on Monday that discussions are underway, but declined to name teams. “We’re listening to everyone,” Felton said. “DJ’s earned this moment. Now it’s about putting him in the right situation for the next ten years.”
With summer league just weeks away and major dominoes like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell still uncommitted, Whitmore’s decision may not dominate headlines — yet. But make no mistake: whichever team signs him is getting more than a role player. They’re betting on the next breakout star.
And for Tar Heel Nation, it’s just another chapter in a proud tradition of legends turning pro— and turning heads.
