“Someday, David Duke as a name will mean something else”: New Brooklyn Nets rookie resolves to outlive the hate for his namesake

Providence college star David Duke, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, recently announced that he had signed with the Brooklyn Nets.

The point guard from Providence won the pre-season Big East Freshman of the Year during his first year with the college. During his freshmen season, he scored a career-high 20-points in a win against South Carolina.

The 21-year old averaged 7.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 2.1 APG as a freshman. In his sophomore year, Duke averaged 12 PPG, shooting 42% from the 3-point line.

The 6’5″ guard, who declared himself for the 2021 NBA Draft, hoped to play for the Boston Celtics someday. Though, unfortunately, Duke wasn’t selected by any of the teams during the draft night.

Duke said, “Well, right now, honestly, I had one situation, but my agent just called me and, he said I might have an even better deal. So it’s kind of up in the air now. I don’t have anything specific yet.”

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The Providence star later tweeted that he had decided to take his talents to the Brooklyn Nets.

Providence College player David Duke signs with the Brooklyn Nets

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Duke announced that he would sign with the Brooklyn Nets. Thus joining one of the top contenders for the 2022 NBA championship.

BROOKLYNNNNN ⚫️⚪️⚫️⚪️⚫️⚪️

— David Duke Jr (@daviddukejr) July 30, 2021

Duke would join forces with the Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. The 21-year old from Rhode Island has the perfect platform to learn from some of the best offensive players the league has ever witnessed.

The NBA had stated the following for the Providence college player, “David Duke is a big guard with a strong frame whose improved consistency as a shot-maker. Listed at 6-foot-5 with a strong 205-pound frame, he is able to play above the rim and even catches an occasional lob in space. He is more strong than he is especially, explosive athletically.”

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In the past, There have been several NBA players, who despite, being undrafted have made a name for themselves. Such players include the likes of Fred VanVleet, Ben Wallace, Jeremy Lin, and Udonis Haslem.

David Duke fighting for his identity

There was one David Duke, who was an American white supremacist, white nationalist politician, white separatist, antisemitic, a convicted felon, and former Grand Wizard of the Klu Kux Klan.

Then there is this David Duke the kid from Providence. A promising young boy with big dreams of playing in the NBA.

Duke had people online telling him he had to change his name due to his name being famous for all the wrong reasons. In the end, he decided to do nothing. Let the other David Duke change his name.

“Someday I want people to look up ‘David Duke’ and see my [face],” said David Duke, the PC freshman. He further added, “Someday I want this name to mean something else.”