Oregon Basketball: What makes the Ducks the preseason Pac-12 favorites?
How about those recruits?
The biggest storyline for the Ducks heading into next season is their recruiting class. The 2018 class for Oregon features four top-75 recruits and ranks No. 3 in the nation by 247Sports. All of these players figure to be at the very least members of the rotation next season and some could end up being collegiate stars. The usual superstar recruiting programs Duke and Kentucky are ahead of Oregon in the rankings so taking the third spot is a serious accomplishment.
New big men on campus
The biggest recruit of them all (figuratively and literally) is Bol Bol. The son of former NBA player Manute, Bol is a 7’1″ center with a versatile game. He is the No. 4 ranked recruit in the nation and should be the most dominant big man in the Pac-12 next season. Bol can put the ball on the deck and drive by his defender or simply bury an open 3-pointer. With his size, he is a unique offensive talent with upside on the defensive end as well.
Joining him in the frontcourt for Oregon’s class is Miles Norris. The No. 60 recruit in the country, Norris is another top-notch recruit. Due to the nature of the rest of the roster, it is unlikely that Norris will start as a freshman but he should see his fair share of minutes. The 6’10” power forward from New Hampshire will provide solid depth in the frontcourt and will have more experienced players to learn from. With Bol likely leaving school after one year, Norris could be the future of the frontcourt in Eugene.
Incoming playmakers on the wing
While the previously mentioned loss of Troy Brown is bound to hurt Oregon, they have a recruit coming in that should help fill that hole. 6’8″ Louis King is another lanky guard/forward who can transition between positions with ease. He should fill in nicely as the starting small forward for Coach Altman. He ranked No. 17 in the country as a recruit.
Lastly, the class is rounded out by a combo guard, Will Richardson. The No. 41 recruit in the country, Richardson is a 6’4″ guard who can score as well as create opportunities for teammates. While Pritchard and Bailey will likely start for the Ducks, Richardson can be the primary backup for both positions. He might come off the bench but he should play starter-like minutes.