NWF State's Duarte commits to Oregon

NICEVILLE – Chris Duarte’s freshman label was “sixth man."

Yet NWF State coach Steve DeMeo laughs at the notion that Duarte wasn’t worthy of a starting spot for the Raiders, who last year cruised to Panhandle Conference and regional titles. On any team in the country, DeMeo said, the 6-foot-6 playmaker would have been the best player on the court.

Three-point range, a post-up game, lockdown defender … Duarte’s versatility extends from the 1-through-4 positions.

Cue the University of Oregon nodding its head. That’s why the Ducks locked up the sophomore, who committed on Thursday to join the Pac-12 juggernaut next season with two years of eligibility left.

"I'm very excited and thankful for this opportunity,” Duarte said. “NWF State helped me grow as a player on and off the court. I want to thank all of the staff who has helped me become the player I need to be to play at a Division I program like Oregon.”

Duarte gives Oregon a guard that can play inside-out.

“He’s a very, very versatile player,” DeMeo said. “He can play multiple positions, 1 through 4, and can even guard the 5 man. He’s got a great post-up game and his range stretches beyond the 3-point line. He’s also an effortless passer and he doesn’t hold the ball too long. He’s active.”

Appearing in all 32 games, Duarte averaged 12.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and two steals a night to help the Raiders to a 29-3 record, Panhandle Conference and FCSAA State Championships and an Elite Eight finish in the NJCAA National Tournament. His scoring efficiency helped him shoot 55 percent from the floor and 37 percent from beyond the arc.

That earned him first-team All-Conference honors and drew the attention of Street and Smith's basketball magazine, which recently named Duarte a preseason First Team "Super Sophomore.”

That “Super Sophomore” will no longer come off the bench for NWF State, which will lean on Duarte’s leadership and versatility this season in hopes of replicating 2015’s national title run.

“He was and is one of the best players in the country,” DeMeo said. “The difference between this year and last year is he’s matured into an incredible teammate. He knows what it takes to be a leader and he’s worked hard in adding range to his game.”

Duarte, originally from the Dominican Republic, will join a Ducks program that went 23-13 and10-8 in Pac-12 play last year and was bounced in the second round of the NIT tournament.