Chris Duarte, new star from Unicaja: “I had the opportunity in the NBA and I refused it.”

Dominican International Chris Duartestar signature of Unikaja The next two seasons and another, he presented on Tuesday, NBAhowever, he chose the Malaga club because he said it was a “challenge that excites him” and that “winning” was the most important thing.

Without making a debut in European basketball, Chris Duarte (1.96m, 28 years old) is already a star Malaga. This Tuesday was demonstrated by receiving hundreds of fans who came to see the basketball track for the first time in the western park near the beach. mercy of the capital.

New players of UnikajaThe landing at his new home last week is an escort that comes from winning the Puerto Rican league. jeans of Bayamon (19’5 points, 4’9 rebounds, 4’8 assists, 1’6 robbery, average robbery per party), and NBA (Indiana) Pacersacramento king And Chicago Bulls), and, as he expressed in his presentation, raised high expectations for the “Big Fanata” Malaga.

“People are surprised to hear me. I know the type of player. I know that I am the best player in the world. But I am looking for something different. I am looking for stability and tranquility for me and my family. NBA.

International with dominican republic He wore a short dress, number 27 in new green and purple gear, standing at every step, signing the sign with special attention to the little fans fascinated by the charismatic players.

He was also fascinated. “They surprised me and made me speechless. The culture and its people. It was truly incredible. I really look forward to this incredible support here in Malaga,” he said.

He admitted that he didn’t know Unikaja His first experience in European basketball, before the club began a conversation with him and convinced him to accept the challenge, but the pivot domain sabonis, star of the star NBA And there’s the roots of Malaga, which is amazing Malaga And the team that formed it.

“Sabonis, when I arrived in Indiana, I always invited me to Malaga, but I was always unable to go to the Dominican Republic and come with my family. [Javypablo]. Sabonis was very happy when I told him I was going to make the decision to come here,” he said.

“When I started looking a little more, when I had the opportunity to research more than the towns of Unicaja and Malaga, and really everything I read and everything they said to me was positive. Duarte.

For a few weeks he spoke with his new coach, Ibon Navarroan important part for your signature. Captain Alberto Diaz also spoke “a little,” and in his initial contact with some of his teammates he was “surprised” by the “chemistry” of his outfit.

“I just arrived and I’ve been doing therapy and training on my own, we had a bit of chatting in the locker room. They’re good boys. I told my wife they support each other and that’s important and that’s what it is and if someone makes a mistake, everyone will come and take their hands.

One question is to see how it fits in European basketball. Duarte He showed confidence. Fiba They are different NBABut I raised it Dominicans And I understand the game, I have an idea of ​​what it all is like,” he said.

Duarte He was selected as the 13th place in the draft NBA 2021, Indiana Pacer And in his first year in the North American league, he was included in the second best Newbird Quintet after averaging 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and robbers in 55 games. With a complete emotional conflict of cut in February with the Rossbulls, losing a place in the NBA, he decided to restore a victory of confidence Puerto Rico.

After making Puerto Rico’s National League title the most prominent, it reaches Malaga As confirmed, he has just recovered from a lower back injury, but he said he has already overcome it. “I’m fine, I’m training, I’m preparing, I’m not in contact yet, but we’re improving every day,” he reassured.

His speech is ambition: “My goal? Win, the other benefits that matter most to me,” Chris said. DuarteHe also had a personality outside of parquet, and even dared to say that he had noticed Kobe. Bryant Or Chris poleIt’s clear who his favourite player is: “I’m myself,” he said.

In addition to answering some amateur questions, with a micro and a permanent smile, Duarte He also played Pachanga with members of the local street basketball team “West Park” and dared to throw the basket for a few minutes with smaller followers.

He then dedicated over 30 minutes to sign the T-shirt. A basketball banner of very young fans said, “Chris, please make me your companion in your face.” It was interesting for the Dominicans who crashed five of them into “artists.”

Still, he preferred to leave requests for ACB, FIBA ​​Champions League, Super Cup, Copa del Rey, or InterContinental Cup matches. Unikaja 2025/26 season.