Duarte strengthens Baskonia with a two-year contract
Chris Duarte has sealed his move to Kosner Baskonia after mutually terminating his contract with Unicaja. The 29-year-old Dominican guard has signed for two seasons and becomes the second reinforcement for the Basque team for the 2026-27 season.
Kosner Baskonia has confirmed the arrival of Chris Duarte, who lands in Vitoria-Gasteiz after completing a single season with Unicaja. The mutual and amicable termination agreement was reached on Thursday, allowing the 29-year-old Dominican to join the Basque club on Friday with a two-season contract. The deal ends a period of speculation about the player's future and significantly strengthens the offensive structure of the EuroLeague.
From Malaga to Vitoria: a strategic move
During his time at Unicaja in the 2025-26 season, Duarte played 43 games in various competitions, establishing himself as a versatile piece in the Malaga team's game. His numbers reflect a significant scoring ability: he averaged 11.4 points in the Liga Endesa and 9.5 points in the Basketball Champions League Season X. These performances position him as a impactful signing for the Basque team, looking to bolster its squad for the upcoming season.
The Dominican point guard brings elite athleticism and a great offensive capacity, attributes that Baskonia considered key to their competitive goals. The decision of both parties to terminate the contract amicably underscores the professionalism in managing the operation, allowing Duarte to continue his career in a larger-scale project in the continental competition.
Track record of an experienced player
Chris Duarte's career shows a path marked by the highs and lows typical of professional sports. His time in the NCAA concluded with the Oregon Ducks, from where he was selected 13th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. His debut in the North American league was promising: he was named to the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team with an average of 13.1 points per game, displaying his immediate ability to compete at the highest level.
However, persistent ankle injuries hindered his development and limited his projection in North America. After his stints with the Pacers, Duarte played for the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls, completing a career in the NBA with 177 games played and a final average of 7.6 points per game. Although his numbers didn't meet the initial expectations, his experience in the top world league positions him as a reference in any European competition.
Current international form
On the international stage, Duarte represents the Dominican Republic and remains in full competitive form. His recent performance in the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers shows this: he accumulated 29 points and 12 rebounds in two consecutive games against the United States and Nicaragua, demonstrating that he maintains his scoring ability and versatility in both aspects of the game.
This current form reinforces the value of his addition to Baskonia, a team that will rely on the Dominican to maintain this level of performance during the upcoming season. His international experience and outside shooting ability make him a significant asset for the ambitions of the Basque team in the EuroLeague.
Baskonia's second summer signing
With Duarte's arrival, Kosner Baskonia adds its second reinforcement of the summer 2026. The Dominican point guard joins D.J. Stewart Jr., former player of Cedevita Olimpija, in a squad restructuring strategy for the 2026-27 season. Both signings align with the Basque club's intention to enhance its competitive ability in the top continental competition.
Stewart Jr. comes in as a name with recognized experience, while Duarte brings offensive versatility and a proven outside shot. The combination of these profiles suggests that Baskonia aims to elevate its offensive prowess and tactical flexibility. The Vitoria-Gasteiz project looks ambitious, with two acquisitions aiming to make a qualitative leap from the previous campaign.
Chris Duarte's arrival at Kosner Baskonia represents a bet on a player with proven experience at the elite level, both in the NBA and international competitions. His scoring ability, athleticism, and outside shot position him as a significant reinforcement for the Basques. With this operation completed, Baskonia continues its work of shaping a competitive roster that aspires to be a contender in the EuroLeague over the next two years.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Duarte refuerza Baskonia con contrato bienal