The Indiana Pacers drafted Chris Duarte with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Before beginning his second NBA season, the 24-year-old will play for his country’s national team.
Indiana Pacers rookie is set to play for the Dominican National team.
Chris Duarte will play in the next qualifying window of FIBA America, according to the report of the Dominican journalist Yancen Pujols. The next game that takes place in the qualifying phase will be on Thursday, August 25, when they face the Panama national team.
He averaged 13.1 points per game, 2.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and shot 36.9% from three on 4.6 attempts. Duarte completes the season in the top ten of total points scored among all rookies, scoring just over 700 points putting him at 8th in those standings. Of the top ten highest-scoring rookies, Duarte’s three-point percentage is the best at 36.9%.
Duarte isn’t the only Pacers playing for another team this offseason. Oshae Brissett and Buddy Hield will play for team Canada and the Bahamas national team.
Buddy Hield getting BUCKETS for Bahamas 🇧🇸 (via @swishcultures_) pic.twitter.com/kJ1SGeAqLe
— Overtime (@overtime) July 2, 2022
Duarte is one of the most exciting pieces to watch for this upcoming season for the Indiana Pacers. After missing a significant chunk of his rookie season with a toe injury, fans can look forward to a full season with a newer and younger roster.
Duarte was asked about that toe injury during this year’s summer league and if he was thinking about it on the court.
"“I wasn’t. When I sit back for seven minutes and I come back in it was a little bit tight, you know it felt good”, he said."
It is good news for fans of the Pacers wanting to see their young core grow this upcoming season and it starts with health. Tune in on Aug. 25th to witness Duarte compete with his national team for the Fiba World Cup qualifiers.