David Duke Jr. takes next step in 'giving back' plan
PROVIDENCE — This has always been part of the plan for David Duke Jr.
He’s helped fund a school dining hall for children in Liberia, backpacks for city elementary students and offered his time at basketball clinics downtown through his eponymous foundation. This weekend was just the next step.
Two days of activities — a pair of Saturday night exhibition games at Providence Career and Technical Academy and Sunday afternoon golf at Triggs Memorial — will help generate funds for more of those pursuits. It was a family effort that included his parents, David and Sharon; his younger brothers, Sean and Jordan; and his cousin, Calvin Jones, the Camp Errol founder and noteworthy basketball trainer for players ranging from the youth to professional ranks.
“A lot,” Duke said when he was asked how much work and organization went into the weekend. “A lot, a lot, a lot. This is my first one — a lot. More than I even expected, to be honest.
“But I have a great group of friends and family who help me out.”
His alma mater, Classical, was just a few steps out the side door. His college home at Providence was a short drive down the road. Duke hasn’t forgotten his roots — he's actively attempting to water and tend to them.
Duke proved to be an effective recruiter for that cause on this night. The high school showcase that tipped off just after 5:30 p.m. included stars such as Kelvin Odih, Josh Ojuri, Azmar Abdullah, Darius Lopes, Azzy Harrison and Darius Ajakaiye. The professional game about 90 minutes later included Duke alongside Rhode Island natives Cole Swider, Kimani Lawrence, Lamonte Thomas, Will Leviton, his brother, Sean, and close connections that included AJ Reeves, Jared Terrell, Xavier Munford and Bonzie Colson.
“To be able to get all these players in here at a late time — it's August,” Jones said. “Everybody is getting ready for their seasons. They’re committed to giving back, and all for a good cause.”
Duke is one of the city’s three emerging athletic princes. Kwity Paye was a first-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2021 NFL Draft and Jeremy Peña captured a title with the Houston Astros in 2022, sweeping Most Valuable Player honors in the American League Championship Series and World Series. All three men are under 26 and have already shown a willingness to give back.
Duke’s plans this weekend are among his most extended yet in the state. Paye is aligned with The Uniform Funding Foundation, a nonprofit he helped found while in college at Michigan that buys equipment and gear for youth sports teams. Peña’s Pals are picked from nearby schools to attend Houston’s home games at the shortstop’s expense and offered a chance to color his white cleats prior to first pitch.
“Bringing the community together in different types of ways is big,” Duke said. “It may not show up necessarily on paper but I think, in the long run, it does a lot. People meet each other in places like this.
"You have college teams here watching high school kids. You never know what can happen. At the end of the day, I’m just trying to put together a fun environment for the community so everybody can come out and have a good time.”
Duke and Reeves performed for a sizable Friars contingent who settled into a VIP row courtside. Assistant coach Tim Fuller, Bryce Hopkins, Devin Carter, Corey Floyd Jr., Jayden Pierre, Rafael Castro, Ticket Gaines, Justyn Fernandez, Rich Barron and Donovan Santoro all stayed throughout — fellow alums LaDontae Henton and Ben Bentil ducked in during the second half of the professional game. Leviton, Terrell and Munford reunited with fellow University of Rhode Island alums Hassan Martin and Andre Berry, who looked on from just off the baseline.
“I remember being that little kid running up to all the NBA guys,” Swider said. “You’re trying to pick their brain and ask questions all the time. It’s great to be here and it’s great to support David.”
Duke leaned into this charitable side despite an unsettled professional future. He’s a free agent still looking for an NBA home in the 2023-24 season after the Brooklyn Nets declined to retain his rights. His performance last year in the G League — an All-Star and leader for the top team in the Eastern Conference — would seem to suggest Duke will find an opportunity before too long.
“Working hard, staying in shape and staying ready,” Duke said. “Control what I can control. Right now, this is something I have in play, so I’m here.”
Duke, Swider, Reeves and Thomas did most of the heavy lifting as the Black pro team edged past the White. Odih, Ojuri, Abdullah and Lopes flashed the athleticism that’s made them legitimate Division I college prospects during the high school contest. Duke confessed his golf game might be a step or two behind his level on the floor, but that’s a small detail — his foundation and the community will benefit from both this weekend.
“When he was at PC, he was doing charity stuff,” Jones said. “Giving back was all part of the plan. To see it all play out in live time, it’s a great thing.”
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ex-PC basketball star David Duke Jr. puts together a weekend of 'giving back'
