Providence College Athletics

David Duke Most Improved Player

David Duke Earns Men's Basketball Ryan Gomes Most Improved Player Award

4/22/2020 2:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Duke was second on the team in scoring and improved in all statistical categories from his freshman season through his sophomore season.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -  Providence College men's basketball coach Ed Cooley announced today (April 22) that student-athlete sophomore David Duke (Providence, R.I.) has earned the team's Ryan Gomes Most Improved Player Award. 

Duke improved in all his statistical categories from his freshman season through his sophomore season.  His points per game improved from 7.1 in 2019 to 12.0 in 2020.  His rebounding also improved from 2.6 rpg to 4.0 rpg in 2020.  His shooting took a dramatic rise with his field goal percentage (.387 to .409), three-point field goal percentage (.297 to .420) and free-throw percentage (.689 to .793) all making improvements from freshman through sophomore seasons.  This season, the sophomore guard finished first on the team in three-point shooting (42-100, .420) and assists (97, 3.1 apg).  Duke also was second on the team in scoring (12.0 ppg).  He recorded a career-best game at Creighton on January 18 when he scored 36 points and was 6-8 from three-point territory. 

The Friar men's basketball annual team awards have traditionally been announced at the team's end-of-the-season banquet in April each year.  This year, the awards will be announced one per day on Friars.com and via the team's social media accounts starting on Saturday, April 18 and continuing through Tuesday, April 28.

The Friars (19-12) entered the 2020 BIG EAST Tournament as hot as any team in the country.  The team had won six straight and eight of 10 games to close the regular season with a NET ranking of 37 and a team record 12 BIG EAST wins (12-6).  The squad finished fourth in league standings and was set to play fifth-seeded Butler on March 12 in the BIG EAST Tournament.  However, due to the Coronavirus outbreak the BIG EAST and NCAA Tournaments were canceled.  The Friars were projected to be a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

2020 Providence Men's Basketball Team Awards:
Thomas Ramos Academic Award (April 18) - Andrew Fonts 
Coca-Cola Most Promising Prospect Award (April 19) - Greg Gantt
Lenny Wilkens Hustle Award (April 20) - A.J. Reeves
John Zannini Coaches' Award (April 21) - Nate Watson
Ryan Gomes Most Improved Player Award (April 22) - David Duke

-GO FRIARS!-

Related News

Skip Ad
All News
Hall of Fame Tip Off at Mohegan Sun 2026 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Providence Friars November 7, 2026, Mohegan Sun Arena, poker chips with Nebraska logo, poker chips with Providence logo, blurred background with Nebraska and Providence mascots, Providence Basketball, Nike, 100 Years of Providence Basketball logo, BIG EAST logo
Men’s Basketball To Play Nebraska At The Hall Of Fame Tip-Off
Monday, May 18
Leonardo Marangon Welcome to Friartown height six feet seven inches tall, weight two hundred five pounds, position forward
Men's Basketball Adds Leonardo Marangon To The 2026-27 Roster
Wednesday, May 13
Jacob Bannarbie Welcome to Friartown height six feet nine inches, weight two hundred thirty five pounds, position forward
Men's Basketball Adds Jacob Bannarbie To The 2026-27 Roster
Monday, May 11
Welcome to Friartown - Malik Mack Height six feet two inches, weight one hundred seventy-five pounds, position guard
Men's Basketball Adds Malik Mack To The 2026-27 Roster
Thursday, April 23
All News
Skip Ad

Players Mentioned

David Duke

Guard
/ Men's Basketball

Andrew Fonts

Guard
/ Men's Basketball

Greg Gantt

Forward
/ Men's Basketball

A.J. Reeves

Guard
/ Men's Basketball

Nate Watson

Center
/ Men's Basketball

Related Videos

Skip Ad
All Videos
Men's Basketball Exhibition vs. Harvard
Saturday, October 25
2018-2019 Men's Basketball Highlight Video
Saturday, April 13
All Videos