David Duke Jr. Bio
David Duke Jr. is an American professional basketball player currently competing in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) with the Perth Wildcats. A versatile guard listed at 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and 204 lb (93 kg), he has built his career through a combination of NBA appearances and standout production in the NBA G League. He is recognized for his scoring ability, rebounding from the guard position, and efficient perimeter shooting.
Born on October 13, 1999, in Providence, Rhode Island, Duke played college basketball for the Providence Friars before entering the professional ranks in 2021. Over the following seasons, he suited up for multiple NBA organizations and their G League affiliates before moving to international basketball.
Early Life and Background
David Duke Jr. was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, to parents David Duke and Sharon Duke. His parents are Liberian refugees who escaped from war-torn Liberia before reuniting in Providence, where they built a new life for their family. Duke grew up alongside two brothers, Sean and Jordan, in a household that valued resilience and community.
During his childhood, Duke played a variety of sports, including soccer, football, and track, before committing fully to basketball in high school. The multi-sport background helped him develop the foot speed, body control, and court awareness that later translated into his guard play. His late specialization in basketball meant his rapid physical growth translated into a long developmental runway as a teenager.
Path to Professional Basketball
As a freshman at Classical High School in Providence, Duke stood 5 ft 6 in and played at the junior varsity level. He grew to 6 ft 1 in by his sophomore season and joined the varsity team, eventually averaging 15 points per game as a junior while leading his squad to a Division 1 state title. After that season, he transferred to Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, where he repeated his junior year due to reclassification.
At Cushing Academy, Duke played with Wabissa Bede and helped his team win the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AA title. As a senior, he averaged 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game, guiding Cushing to the NEPSAC Class AA semifinals. Rated as a four-star recruit, he chose Providence over scholarship offers from Virginia Tech, Florida, Indiana, and Villanova.
David Duke Jr. Career
College Career at Providence (2018–2021)
Duke entered Providence sharing preseason Big East Freshman of the Year honors with Jahvon Quinerly and immediately became the team’s starting point guard. He later transitioned off the ball and showed scoring punch, posting a freshman season-high 20 points in a 76–67 win over South Carolina on November 17, 2018. As a freshman, he averaged 7.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
As a sophomore, Duke scored a career-high 36 points on January 18, 2020, shooting 6-of-8 from three-point range in a 78–74 loss to Creighton. He averaged 12 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc. In his junior campaign, he elevated his production to 16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, earning Second-team All-Big East recognition before declaring for the 2021 NBA draft on April 2, 2021.
Brooklyn Nets and Long Island Nets (2021–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Duke signed with the Brooklyn Nets on August 8, 2021, and joined the team for the 2021 NBA Summer League. On October 16, 2021, the Nets converted his deal into a two-way contract, and he split the 2021–22 season between Brooklyn and their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
Duke turned down a new two-way offer ahead of the 2022 NBA Summer League, but ultimately re-signed with Brooklyn on September 16, 2022, again splitting time between the parent club and Long Island. In 22 G League games during 2022–23, he led Long Island with 22.9 points per game on 47.8 percent shooting, adding 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals. He was named to the G League’s inaugural Next Up Game, finished third in MVP voting, and earned All-NBA G League First Team honors. On April 7, 2023, he signed a standard contract with Brooklyn to finish the season.
Delaware Blue Coats (2023)
On September 11, 2023, Duke signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, but was waived on October 20, 2023. He then joined the Delaware Blue Coats for the 2023–24 NBA G League season, where he appeared in 11 games and averaged 21.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 31.5 minutes per contest.
San Antonio and Austin Spurs (2023–2025)
On December 14, 2023, Duke signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs. With the Austin Spurs during 2023–24, he started 37 of 38 G League games and led the team with 19.8 points to go with 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 32.9 minutes per game. In four NBA appearances that season, he averaged 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 12.8 minutes.
Duke re-signed with San Antonio on another two-way contract on July 26, 2024, despite missing the 2024 NBA Summer League. During 2024–25, he played six games for the Spurs and 27 regular-season G League games for Austin, all starts, averaging 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. On September 23, 2025, he signed with the Phoenix Suns, but was waived on October 17, 2025.
Perth Wildcats (2025–2026)
On October 24, 2025, Duke signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian NBL for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, replacing Mason Jones as the team’s international guard. On December 28, 2025, he suffered a serious elbow injury during a loss to the Adelaide 36ers, and returned to the court in mid February.
Bàsquet Manresa (2026–present)
On March 30, 2026, Duke signed with Bàsquet Manresa of the Spanish Liga ACB for the rest of the 2025–26 season, marking his move into top-flight European basketball.
Driving Style and Strengths
Duke profiles as a scoring lead guard with the size to play both backcourt positions. He is most effective as a pull-up shooter from the mid-range and three-point line, while his rebounding and steal rates reflect a strong nose for the ball. His experience running point at Providence and in the G League has prepared him to manage tempo and create offense in pick-and-roll settings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Duke represented the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru, helping the team win a bronze medal and recording 16 points, four assists, and three steals in a 114–75 loss to Argentina in the semifinals. He also earned All-NBA G League First Team honors in 2023 and was named to the NBA G League Next Up Game that same year.
David Duke Jr. Career Wins
Across high school, college, and professional basketball, David Duke Jr. has built a résumé marked by team championships and individual recognition. His wins span a Division 1 state title at Classical High School, a NEPSAC Class AA championship at Cushing Academy, a bronze medal with the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games, and a series of conference and All-Star selections in the NBA G League.
Professional Highlights
In the NBA G League, Duke was named to the All-NBA G League First Team in 2023 and to the NBA G League Next Up Game in February 2023. He finished third in NBA G League Most Valuable Player voting for the 2022–23 season. At Providence, he earned Second-team All-Big East honors in 2021.
Other Wins and Performances
Duke helped lead Classical High School to a Rhode Island Division 1 state title as a junior and won a NEPSAC Class AA title with Cushing Academy. Internationally, he contributed to the United States’ bronze-medal finish at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru.
David Duke Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
David Duke Jr. is the son of David Duke and Sharon Duke, Liberian refugees who escaped from war-torn Liberia before reuniting in Providence, Rhode Island. He has two brothers, Sean and Jordan, who grew up alongside him in the Providence area. In 2023, Duke dedicated a feeding hall in Liberia through The David Duke Jr. Foundation to help feed underprivileged children.
Personal Life
In 2025, David Duke Jr. married his longtime girlfriend, Kayla Lopez, in Paris. The couple’s wedding marked a significant personal milestone during his transition to international basketball.
2025 Season Performance
David Duke Jr. began 2025 splitting time between the San Antonio Spurs and the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League, where he averaged 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 27 regular-season G League starts. His NBA appearances were limited, with six games for San Antonio during the 2024–25 season, before he was waived by the Phoenix Suns on October 17, 2025.
On October 24, 2025, Duke signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian NBL, taking on the role of lead international guard after Mason Jones. He suffered a serious elbow injury on December 28, 2025, in a loss to the Adelaide 36ers, and returned to the court in mid February 2026.
On March 30, 2026, Duke moved to Europe, signing with Bàsquet Manresa of the Spanish Liga ACB for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. The move reflected his continued pursuit of high-level competition abroad as he recovered full health and sought a new platform to showcase his scoring and playmaking.