As Lute raps on his excellent track “Still Slummin’”, “only one time to get it right.” Perhaps that same mantra does not apply to the Perth Wildcats who have gone for their second attempt at replacing Bryce Cotton. One week after the release of Mason Jones, the Wildcats sign David Duke Jr. as their new guard.

The Wildcats have again courted a player with proven experience at the highest level which is obviously their method for insurance. The similarities do not stop there. This time, the Wildcats have even further duplication by signing someone who comes from the exact same college as their departed saviour; both Duke and Cotton attended Providence.

However, Duke’s career trajectory is more similar to Jones than Cotton. He has spent the last four years in the NBA with two-way stints with the Brooklyn Nets from 2021 to 2023 and San Antonio Spurs from 2023 to 2025. Duke has made 55 NBA appearances with averages of 4.2 points and 2.0 rebounds. He has instead spent most of his time in the NBA G League where his stint with the Austin Spurs last season saw him average 16.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Duke has great height for a guard at 6’4″ and can play both the point guard and shooting guard positions.

This will be Duke’s first overseas stint. He was on the cusp of making the Phoenix Suns’ roster this season and was only released last week. Duke will no doubt be arriving with a point to prove. Will that hunger prove to be more impactful than Jones’ brief tenure? The Wildcats are probably more eager than anyone to find out.