Chris Duarte was one of the best rookies in the NBA in the 2021-2022 season, which does not prevent him from proudly representing the Dominican Republic team whenever he can.
In fact, being born in Canada and studying in the United States were never impediments for the Indiana Pacers shooting guard to choose to represent Santo Domingo. “For me it has always been a pride to represent the Dominican Republic, one of my dreams and that day I made the decision was not difficult because I always wanted to play for the national team,” he told ESPN.
“There is no pressure to wear the Dominican jersey or represent my country in the NBA, because in the end that is what I do, play basketball”
– Chris Duarte a ESPN
While Chris Duarte prepares to play with the Dominican Republic against Panama, for the third qualifying window to the FIBA World Cup 2023, the player himself acknowledges that he has an important relationship with his Pacers coach, Rick Carlise. “He (Carlisle) goes to my house, he says hi to me. Our relationship is not only on the court, off the court it’s extremely good as well.”
Chris Duarte averaged 13.1 points per game, plus 2.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 43.2% from the field during his first season in the NBA; digits that invite us to think that at 24 years old, he will continue to evolve favorably in his second internship in the league. “The idea is that the work I do right now is reflected next season, just like that of my team, where there is a chemistry that will be noticed from the first meetings.”
