David Duke Jr. Bio
David Duke Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He previously played for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA and with the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League, and he played college basketball for the Providence Friars. A versatile guard with scoring ability and a strong passing feel, Duke has built his career by climbing through multiple G League affiliates before reaching the NBA and then taking his game international.
Early Life and Background
David Duke Jr. was born on October 13, 1999, in Providence, Rhode Island. He is the son of David and Sharon Duke, and he grew up alongside two brothers, Sean and Jordan. His parents are Liberian refugees who escaped war-torn Liberia before reuniting in Providence, a heritage that has shaped Duke’s sense of community and motivated his later charitable work.
During his childhood, Duke played several sports, including soccer, football, and track and field. He did not commit fully to basketball until high school, where a late growth spurt transformed his trajectory on the court. The combination of multi-sport athleticism and an emerging love for basketball helped him develop the footwork, endurance, and competitive drive that later defined his game.
Path to Basketball
As a freshman at Classical High School in Providence, Duke stood 5 feet 6 inches and played at the junior varsity level. He grew to 6 feet 1 inch and joined the varsity team as a sophomore, then averaged 15 points per game as a junior while leading Classical to a Division 1 state title. After that championship run, he transferred to Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, where he repeated his junior year due to reclassification.
At Cushing, Duke played alongside 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 and led Cushing to the NEPSAC Class AA semifinals. A four-star recruit, he chose Providence over offers from Virginia Tech, Florida, Indiana, and Villanova, setting the stage for his college career.
David Duke Jr. Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Duke joined the Providence Friars and entered his first season sharing preseason Big East Freshman of the Year honors with Jahvon Quinerly. He began the year as the team’s starting point guard before sliding off the ball later in the season, showing the positional flexibility that has remained a hallmark of his game. On November 17, 2018, he scored a freshman season-high 20 points in a 76–67 win over South Carolina, finishing the year with averages of 7.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
As a sophomore, Duke delivered a breakout performance on January 18, 2020, scoring 36 points on 6-of-8 three-point shooting in a 78–74 loss to Creighton. He averaged 12 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals that season while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc. His junior year produced 16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, earning him Second Team All-Big East recognition before he declared for the 2021 NBA draft on April 2, 2021.
Brooklyn Nets Era (2021–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Duke signed with the Brooklyn Nets on August 8, 2021, and played for the team during the 2021 NBA Summer League. The Nets converted his deal to a two-way contract on October 16, 2021, and he split his time between Brooklyn and the Long Island Nets, the team’s G League affiliate. He joined the Nets for the 2022 Summer League after turning down a new two-way offer, but he ultimately re-signed with Brooklyn on a two-way deal on September 16, 2022.
During the 2022–23 NBA G League season with Long Island, Duke averaged a team-leading 22.9 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field, ranking fifth in the league in scoring. He also posted 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, and he was named to the G League’s inaugural Next Up Game in February 2023. He finished third in NBA G League Most Valuable Player Award voting and earned All-NBA G League First Team honors. Duke signed a standard contract with Brooklyn on April 7, 2023, to finish the season.
Delaware Blue Coats and Spurs Era (2023–2025)
On September 11, 2023, Duke signed with the Philadelphia 76ers but was waived on October 20, 2023. He joined the Delaware Blue Coats for the 2023–24 NBA G League season and averaged 21.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 31.5 minutes across 11 games. On December 14, 2023, he signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, splitting the rest of the year between the Austin Spurs and San Antonio.
With Austin during 2023–24, Duke averaged a team-high 19.8 points to go with 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 32.9 minutes across 38 games, including 37 starts. He then finished the 2023–24 NBA season averaging 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 12.8 minutes across four games for San Antonio. Despite being sidelined for the 2024 NBA Summer League, he re-signed with San Antonio on another two-way contract on July 26, 2024, appearing in six NBA games during 2024–25 while averaging 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 27 regular-season starts for Austin.
Perth Wildcats Era (2025–Present)
On September 23, 2025, Duke signed with the Phoenix Suns, but he was waived on October 17, 2025. Shortly afterward, on October 24, 2025, he signed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. He replaced Mason Jones as the Wildcats’ international guard, bringing NBA and G League experience to Australia’s top professional competition.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 4 inches and roughly 205 pounds, Duke combines guard skills with a sturdy frame that holds up against bigger wings. He is a reliable three-point shooter, a creative passer who averaged more than four assists per game in multiple G League seasons, and a willing defender with the lateral quickness to stay in front of perimeter players.
Notable Events and Milestones
Duke represented the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru, where he helped the team win a bronze medal and recorded 16 points, four assists, and three steals in a semifinal loss to Argentina. In 2023, he dedicated a feeding hall in Liberia through The David Duke, Jr. Foundation to help feed underprivileged children, a project tied to his family’s Liberian roots.
David Duke Jr. Career Wins
Across his professional career, David Duke Jr. has notched individual awards at both the college and G League levels. His honors include Second Team All-Big East in 2021 and an All-NBA G League First Team selection in 2023, when he also finished third in G League MVP voting. His team accomplishments include a Division 1 state title at Classical High School and a NEPSAC Class AA championship at Cushing Academy.
Other Wins & Performances
Duke’s standout G League seasons with Long Island and Austin showcased his scoring consistency, including two seasons averaging more than 19 points per game. His 2022–23 campaign with Long Island stands out as his strongest statistical run at the professional level, while his brief NBA appearances with the San Antonio Spurs confirmed his readiness for the highest level.
David Duke Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Duke’s parents, David and Sharon Duke, are Liberian refugees who settled in Providence, Rhode Island. He has two brothers, Sean and Jordan, who grew up alongside him in the same Providence household. The family’s Liberian heritage has been a recurring influence on Duke’s identity and charitable efforts.
Personal Life
David Duke Jr. married his longtime girlfriend, Kayla Lopez, in Paris in 2025. The couple’s relationship has been a steady presence throughout his professional transitions between teams and leagues. Duke also operates The David Duke, Jr. Foundation, which supports underprivileged children and communities connected to his family’s Liberian roots.
2025 Season Performance
David Duke Jr. began 2025 by splitting the NBA G League season with Austin and the NBA roster in San Antonio, where he averaged 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 27 starts for Austin. After being waived by the Phoenix Suns in mid-October, he quickly landed with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian NBL on October 24, 2025, to fill their international guard slot for the 2025–26 season.
With Perth, Duke joins a perennial NBL contender seeking backcourt scoring and playmaking for the remainder of the Australian campaign. His G League resume, highlighted by All-NBA G League First Team recognition in 2023, suggests an immediate scoring role with the Wildcats. The international move represents both a fresh start and a chance to showcase his versatility on a new stage.