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INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time since 2015 the Pacers have played their rookie 1st round pick heavy minutes to start the season, and the #13th pick in the 2021 Draft Chris Duarte has delivered.

Fan favorite TJ McConnell has been impressed with the level of play by Duarte too. He joined JMV to talk about what he has seen from the rookie early in the season:

“He works incredibly hard and has a great feel for the game. He gets to his spots and he’s just so comfortable out there. People say stuff about his age but he’s still a rookie, no matter what his age is he’s still only a rookie and never played in an NBA game before and you wouldn’t be able to tell just by watching him.”

The greatest challenge going from College Basketball to the NBA is the speed of the game and McConnell can see that the game has already slowed down for the Pacers most impressive rookie since Reggie Miller:

“The great players, when the game slows down for them it’s a scary thing. The game is slowing down for him, he’s playing at his own pace and no one really speeds him up and makes him uncomfortable. He can really shoot it and I think he’s going to have such a bright future in this league.”

If you missed any of TJ’s interview with JMV listen with the link below!

 

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