Duarte number one in Venezuela SPB for round 35

- May 4, 2026

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Luis Duarte

Luis Duarte

Swingman Luis Duarte (190-G/F-1994) had a very impressive game in the last round for top-ranked Gaiteros de Zulia, receiving a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 35.
The 31-year old player had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while his team beat Spartans (#3, 15-8) 87-81. The game was between two of the league's top four teams. It allowed Gaiteros to consolidate first place in the Venezuelan SPB. Gaiteros has a very good season and are considered to have a run for the championship title. They improved their record to 19-2. Duarte just recently signed at Gaiteros, being already a very valuable addition to the team. Luis Duarte has solid league stats. He is in league's top in rebounds (9th best: 7.8rpg), assists (7th best: 4.8apg) and averages impressive 3.6spg and 63.3% FGP.

The second best player in last round's games was young Nicolas Palma (197-PF-2004) of Diablos de Miranda. Palma had a very good evening with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Of course Diablos cruised to a 87-75 relatively comfortable win over slightly lower-ranked Centauros (#12, 4-18). The game was between two teams which are definitely not main contenders for the title. Diablos keeps 10th position. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 8-15 record. Palma is one of the most experienced players at Diablos and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players.

Third on the list of top players last round was Serbian forward Milos Petkovic (204-F/C-1991) of Centauros de Bolivar (#12). Petkovic scored 19 points. Despite Petkovic's great performance the Centauros lost 75-87 to slightly higher-ranked Diablos (#10, 8-15). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. Centauros can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have rather bad season and 4-18 record places them close to the bottom of the standings. Petkovic has a very solid season. In 4 games in Venezuela he scored 9.3ppg.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Tyrone White (201-G-1990) of Guaiqueries - 21 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists
5. Eliezer Montano (206-F/C-1991) of Guaiqueries - 13 points and 12 rebounds
6. Maodo Nguirane (210-C-1993) of Centauros - 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists
7. Luis Bethelmy (200-F-1986) of Cocodrilos - 14 points and 9 rebounds
8. Ricky Ledo (201-SF-1992) of Trotamundos - 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists
9. Elias King (203-G-2000) of Brillantes - 22 points and 6 rebounds
10. Michael Carrera (196-F-1993) of Spartans - 16 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists

The Player of the week is selected based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.

Tags : LUIS DUARTE, GAITEROS DE ZULIA, VENEZUELAN BASKETBALL,