SAN ANTONIO – The Spurs have decided to bring back David Duke Jr. – a versatile guard entering his third season in the league. The team signed him to his second two-way contract in San Antonio.
Duke joined the Spurs on a two-way contract last December after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Providence College. He spent most of his time in Austin with the G-League Spurs but showed a combination of scoring, rebounding, and defensive skills that impressed Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who praised his abilities on multiple occasions.
His ability to play outstanding defense as well as both the point guard and shooting guard positions adds even more depth to the team’s already crowded backcourt. So it’s obvious the Spurs like Duke’s strong work ethic and high basketball IQ – some of which he learned from elite players like Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, during his time playing for the Brooklyn Nets as a rookie.
The Spurs will give Duke another opportunity to showcase his skills both in the NBA and the G League, where he averaged 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
Ahead of training camp this fall, San Antonio’s roster now stands at 14 players on regular guaranteed deals. Julian Champagnie’s contract with the Spurs will convert into a fully guaranteed deal on August 1, 2024.
Spurs also now have two players under two-way contracts. David Duke Jr. and Jamaree Bouyea.
The Spurs have one more two-way contract slot available, which they might fill soon. Both Harrison Ingram and Riley Minix may be fighting for that final two-way slot, although it is likely that the Spurs will make more roster changes in the days and weeks to come.
