In assessing David Duke’s talent on both ends of the
floor, Mass Rivals coach Vin Pastore sees a high-major recruit who is still
very much on the rise.
Duke hasn’t had the same star clout as more acclaimed national names. Despite flying under the radar early on his career, his stock is now on the same plane as the most hotly-pursued, unsigned recruits on the market.
Duke hasn’t had the same star clout as more acclaimed national names. Despite flying under the radar early on his career, his stock is now on the same plane as the most hotly-pursued, unsigned recruits on the market.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Providence native has gone from a
mid-major recruit to one of the country’s elite, showcasing his all-around talent at
Adidas Eurocamp, NBA Top 100 camp, and a number of other star-littered events
this summer.
“The best thing about David Duke is he’s new to
being good,” said Mass Rivals AAU coach Vin Pastore.
“He’s a legit lead guard who has a first step that
is unbelievable. He finishes acrobatically and athletically at the rim. He’s an
elite layup maker. Really, what I think separates David from about everyone in
the country is that very rarely do you find a kid who shines on both ends of
the floor.”
Those crafty finishes—deft,
strong surges to the rim, aesthetic above the rim finishes, and Duke's propensity for finishing
with his left hand through traffic—has helped the class of 2018 guard break out of obscurity and
into the nation’s upper percentile.