Raptors draft: 4 senior prospects that Toronto should consider taking
By Mike Luciano
Raptors draft target No. 4: Chris Duarte, SG, Oregon
After a wild college career that included a stop at junior college, Duarte was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year during his final season in Eugene, scoring 16.8 points per game on 53% shooting while making 44% of his 5.5 3-point attempts per game. Duarte has been flying up draft boards due to his skills on both ends of the floor.
Duarte, a quality rebounder for his size, uses his wingspan and high motor to shut down opposing shooters on the perimeter, all the while getting plenty of steals to get the Ducks moving in transition. With Norman Powell’s situation for 2021 unsettled, Duarte could be a natural replacement near the end of Round 1.
How would Chris Duarte fit with the Raptors?
The Raptors need some more scoring, either off of the bench or in the starting lineup, Durate can get hot from beyond the arc, create his own shot off of the dribble, and finish at the rim. Considering how old he is, he could slide right into the rotation without a ton of time in the G League.
Duarte is going to turn 24 soon, and that could limit his potential upside, as will the fact that his athletic ability is generally subpar when compared with some younger pups in this class. However, Duarte has proven to be ther do-it-all force the Ducks needed this season, and a coach who preaches versatility in Nick Nurse would get a very intriguing player to work with in Duarte.