Busting Brackets
Fansided

Oregon Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Ducks

By Lukas Harkins

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks sets up a play against the Utah Utes during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Utes 66-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks sets up a play against the Utah Utes during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Utes 66-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Okoro of the Ducks is introduced. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Okoro of the Ducks is introduced. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Projected Starting Frontcourt

Shakur Juiston | Forward | 6-foot-7 | Senior

Oregon’s frontcourt will be stacked with newcomers this season and Shakur Juiston is the one bringing the most experience the table. The 6-foot-7 power forward is coming to Eugene by way of UNLV as a graduate transfer. He is a perfect fit for Oregon’s scheme and will fill a much-needed role for the team as a true forward. He is a matchup nightmare for a lot of opponents due to his size and strength at the position. As a result, Juiston is a glass-cleaning machine that should provide strong minutes up front for the Ducks.

You might not hear the term “feared” with regards to rebounders but it fits Juiston well. He simply fights for every single loose ball and does a tremendous job securing misses. Juiston can also be a reliable finisher in the paint and records his fair share of stocks (steals + blocks). Over the course of his 2017-18 campaign (medically redshirted last season after eight games), Juiston averaged 14.6 points (63.9% FG), 10.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game for the Runnin’ Rebels. His rebounding and ability to win mismatches will be welcomed in Oregon’s starting lineup.

N’Faly Dante | Center | 6-foot-11 | Freshman

Originally a member of the 2020 recruiting class, N’Faly Dante committed to Oregon this summer and immediately reclassified in order to play right away this season. He is fresh off absolutely dominating on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer, where he averaged 15.8 points (72.2% FG), 10.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game for MOKAN Elite (KS). After reclassifying, Dante became the No. 14 overall recruit in the 2019 class and it is reasonable to expect that he will play a monster role for the Ducks this season.

That is, of course, once he becomes eligible. Due to an NCAA ruling, Dante will miss the first nine games this season. Considering the Ducks are scheduled to play a rigorous non-conference slate, the team will definitely miss Dante for that stretch. Once he hits the court, though, his impact will be obvious. Dante boasts plenty of size at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and will be a terror in the paint. He rebounds at an exceptionally high rate, swats shots with regularity, and runs the floor well. Dante will be the anchor to Oregon’s strong defense this year as the presumed heir to departed Kenny Wooten inside.

Francis Okoro | Center | 6-foot-9 | Sophomore

Rising sophomore big man Francis Okoro will play a significant role for the Ducks this season both before and after Dante gains eligibility. A top 50 recruit out of high school, the 6-foot-9 ground-bound big man is a superb rebounder poised to take his game to the next level this season. He is incredibly well-built and brings plenty of physicality to the frontcourt.

Okoro is not necessarily known as a shot-blocker or tremendous offense threat, but he uses his wide frame to clear out opponents for rebounds on both ends of the floor. Over the course of his freshman campaign a year ago, Okoro averaged 3.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks in 13.6 minutes per game. He did start 23 contests, though. Okoro should be poised for more playing time this time around, especially before Dante presumably usurps his spot in the starting lineup.

Home/Oregon Ducks