Prospect Spotlight: Chris Duarte

[Jamaaliver]

If we keep our 1st round pick this summer, this is a kid I expect us to strongly consider.

Chris Duarte 2021 NBA Draft Profile

Watch on YouTube

Chris Duarte is a senior guard from the Oregon Ducks who entered for this year’s NBA Draft. He was a junior college transfer from Northwest Florida State, where he spent his first two college seasons. Duarte averaged 19 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game. He then transferred to the Oregon Ducks in his junior year. During his junior season, he played a secondary role with Oregon and averaged 12.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. However, he wasn’t very efficient shooting the ball that year as he only shot 41.4 percent from the field.

During his senior season, Duarte took his play up to another level. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting the ball very efficiently. Duarte led Oregon to the Sweet 16 and took home a slew of individual awards in 2021. He was named to All-Pac 12 First Team, Pac-12 All-Defensive-Team, and the winner of the Jerry West Award.

Strengths

Spoiler:

Duarte’s calling card is his shooting. He’s a knock-down shooter who can score from all three levels. Duarte is great at both shooting off-the-dribble and the great catch-and-shoot game. During his senior season with Oregon, Duarte shot an efficient 53.2 percent from the field, 42.4 percent from three, and 81 percent from the free-throw line.

Shooting is a very transferable skill in the NBA and Duarte has an excellent jump shot. He can space the floor well because of shooting, but the underrated aspect of his floor spacing is that he’s a good slasher. You can never have enough shooting in today’s NBA.

Another major strength in Duarte’s game is his defense. He’s a good on-ball defender and is great at causing deflections and turnovers. In his college career, Duarte has had three seasons where he averaged nearly two steals per game.

Weaknesses

Spoiler:

There aren’t too many weaknesses in his game but the most glaring weakness for Duarte is his lack of explosiveness and burst. Duarte doesn’t have an elite first step so there are times where quicker players will beat him to the spot when he attacks the hoop. The same principle goes on the defensive end as well as there will be times where he can’t contain quicker guards despite being a good on-ball defender.

Another thing to note is that Duarte has been overlooked as a prospect because of his age as he will be 24 when the time the 2021 NBA Draft rolls around. Teams will likely pass up on him early in the draft.

Comparison
Duarte’s game has a lot of similarities to current NBA player Derrick White. Both are great knock-down shooters whether it’s off-the-dribble or catch-and-shoot. They both aren’t the fastest or the most explosive guard. Furthermore, both players are good on-ball defenders at the guard position. Neither player are flashy by any means, but they get things done on the court effectively.

Last Word on Sports

[Jamaaliver]

This kid will be an elite 3 & D role player at the next level.

Watch on YouTube

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

2021 NBA Draft Prospects: March's Biggest Risers

Watch on YouTube

Chris Duarte (Oregon, SG, Senior)

Chris Duarte has strengthened his draft case every month this season.

By February, the narrative painted the former junior college Player of the Year as a potential first-round pick. We're now officially projecting a top-30 prospect after his 21 points, six assists and three steals during Oregon's Sweet 16 loss to USC.

The initial three-and-D label earlier in the season suddenly feels limiting. While Duarte will finish the year at 42.4 percent from three and with 1.9 steals per game, he flashed enough creation skill and advanced shot-making for scouts to detect scoring and playmaking potential.

Duarte shot 44-of-99 on dribble jumpers and 43.9 percent out of isolation, demonstrating patience and sharp footwork separating into pull-ups and step-backs. He's tough playing through contact downhill and finished 62.7 percent of his attempts around the basket.

Even if the on-ball scoring doesn't fully translate, he shot 50.0 percent on spot-up jumpers and 45.2 percent off screens. And at 6'6" with solid defensive instincts, he doesn't generate concern about his ability to guard.

Age is the most discussed drawback to Duarte, who'll turn 24 in June before the draft. But there are bound to be win-now teams in the 20s that see an immediate contributor and value pick on a rookie contract.

Bleacher Report

[shakes0]

He definitely has the advantage of being ready to play right out the gate. And you can never have enough 3&D types on your roster. Although I think we need another big body to push Bozoman Hill completely out of the rotation.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[tbhawksfan1]

He definately has some pluses. 24 year old senoir though..... I also like your guy Ayo 21 year old junoir. He also has a lot to like

[Jamaaliver]

Duarte models game after GSW's Klay Thompson



Oregon's Chris Duarte, 24, is coming off a fantastic season for the Ducks in which he averaged 17.1 points per game while shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from 3-point range. Duarte sat down with ESPN draft expert Mike Schmitz for a film study and named Thompson, Kobe Bryant and Devin Booker as three players who he has tried to mold his game after.

Read on Twitter

Duarte's quick release and ability to get his shot off the dribble, coming off screens and on the catch-and-shoot certainly can remind you of a young Thompson coming out of Washington State. Plus, Duarte's nose for the ball on defense and an ability and desire to guard multiple positions on the wing at 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-7 wingspan reminds of Thompson as well.

Duarte's skills should translate immediately to the NBA. He has shown he is a multi-dimensional shooter, a savvy driver who makes up for his lack of athleticism with physicality and a tough defender who forces turnovers through effort and intensity. He has the makings of a plug-and-play 3-and-D wing with the potential to grow into more.

Duarte likely doesn't have Thompson's NBA ceiling, but he has enough of the best parts of Thompson's game to come in and give [any NBA team] a boost on both ends of the floor and consistent valuable minutes in an area of need.

The Oregon product's draft stock is rising after his impressive season in Eugene, and he very well could be what the Warriors Hawks are looking for when they go on the clock in the middle of the first round.

NBC Sports

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

NBA scouts critique the top 2021 Draft prospects

Chris Duarte, 6-6 senior guard, Oregon.

“That’s my man crush right there. He’s not what you think of when you think of a juco kid. He plays the right way, he plays really hard. Tough, physical kid. He’s just a basketball player. I know he’s 24, but whoever drafts him is getting someone who can play right away. He can dribble, pass, shoot, he guards, got a good feel. Just doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses.”

The Athletic

[Jamaaliver]

The demand for Oregon's Chris Duarte has risen, and there is a good chance he doesn't make it past the Washington Wizards at No. 15. He recently worked out for the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. I reported the Golden State Warriors brought him back for a second workout this past weekend. The Los Angeles Lakers have also shown interest in Duarte and have made calls to try to move up. The 24-year-old is considered a surefire rookie contributor with valuable shooting skills and defensive toughness.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

CD looks like he might steal ROY honors from Jalen and Cade.

This is the kid we were rumored to be after had we traded Cam to move up to the lottery.

Whew!!!!

Read on Twitter