Bilal Duckett

PROFILE
A defender who served as the starting right fullback in his junior and senior years at the University of Notre Dame, Kevin Bilal Duckett joined Whitecaps FC after being the first pick in the third round (37th overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 13, 2011. The native of Macon, Georgia, is considered a very good athlete with two good feet, tremendous speed, and fine leaping ability in the air.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2011: In Tom Soehn's first match as Whitecaps FC head coach on June 1, Duckett made his MLS debut when he started at right fullback during the 1-1 draw at Chivas USA.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVE LEAGUE
2011: Duckett started at centre back in Vancouver's debut match in the MLS Reserve League, as Whitecaps FC reserves fell 2-1 at San Jose Earthquakes reserves on Mar. 22.

COLLEGE
2010: As a senior, Duckett started all 20 of his appearances at right fullback for Notre Dame and registered one assist. The defender was also named a BIG EAST Academic All-Star for a second straight year. 2009: After two frustrating years of no action with the Fighting Irish, Duckett became Notre Dame's starting right fullback in his junior year, with the defender starting all but two of his 22 appearances that year. On Oct. 21, Duckett scored the 'Golden Goal' winner in a 2-1 victory at Georgetown University. The right fullback was also named a BIG EAST Conference Academic All-Star that season. 2008: The defender also saw no action during his sophomore year at Notre Dame. 2007: Duckett saw no action for the Fighting Irish during his freshman year after suffering a leg injury.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
2011: Duckett made his debut for Whitecaps FC Residency during a 1-0 victory at Abbotsford Mariners on May 29. 2009: As a member of Central Conference, Great Lakes Division club Indiana Invaders, Duckett scored the match winner and recorded two assists during a 3-2 victory at Cleveland Internationals on July 12. Cleveland's starting XI that day included fellow Whitecaps FC MLS SuperDraft pick Michael Nanchoff. 2008: The defender made three PDL appearances for Atlanta Silverbacks U-23's in the Southern Conference, Southeast Division that season.

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR
As captain of the McIntosh High School boys soccer team in his hometown of Peachtree City, Georgia, Duckett was a two-time Region 4 AAAA Player of the Year. As a senior, the defender was Fayette County Player of the Year and the team's Most Valuable Player after leading the Chiefs to their first undefeated season and a fourth Georgia state high school title. He also earned all-state honours and was a high school All-America nominee in his senior year. As a junior, Duckett was an All-Fayette County First Team and an All-Region 4 AAAA First Team selection. His youth career saw Duckett play for Cobb Futbol Club in Marietta, Georgia and AFC Lightning in Fayetteville, Georgia. As a member of Cobb FC '89 Premier, they were Region III Premier League and Georgia state champions in 2005, as well as state championship runners-up in 2006 and 2007. Duckett was also a six-year member of the Georgia '89 Olympic Development Program state team, where he helped the side to the 2004 Region III championship and a bronze medal at the 2005 US Youth Soccer National Championship.

PERSONAL
Duckett was born in Macon, Georgia, and raised in Peachtree City, Georgia, which is located near the city of Atlanta. His parents are Kim and Fred Duckett, and he an older brother, Tahir Duckett. The defender plans to graduate with a major in IT Management from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business in May 2011.

INTERESTING FACTS
A devout Christian, Duckett prays before each match he takes part in. Duckett also considers himself a technology enthusiast. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, drawing, listening to hip-hop and R&B music, watching movies, and tinkering with technology.