By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Chris Duarte and Unicaja Baloncesto could part ways after a season marked by growing tensions between the player, head coach Ibon Navarro and the club, according to SUR.
The situation escalated during the Basketball Champions League Final Four in Badalona, where Duarte was left out of the squad for the semifinal against AEK B.C..
SUR reports that the relationship between the Dominican wing and the club has been deteriorating throughout the season, with disagreements related both to technical decisions and the player’s role within the team.
Just hours after being selected to the All-BCL Second Team, Duarte posted — and later deleted — an emotional message on Instagram.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect this recognition today after all the s*** I’ve gone through this year. A group of people trying to stain my name and my career,” Duarte wrote.
He also suggested he had not been able to fully express himself on the court this season.
“This recognition comes even without being able to play my game at the level I know I can consistently play. Imagine when I cut the rope that’s holding me back.”
According to SUR, Unicaja had already informed Duarte’s representatives earlier this season that the club was considering ending the partnership, despite the player still having one more year remaining on his contract.
Sporting director Juanma Rodríguez publicly backed Navarro’s decision to leave Duarte out of the rotation, insisting the coach would continue deciding what is best for the team.
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