NCAA Basketball: Top-40 2021 G TyTy Washington looking at 6 schools
By Ian Mumm
Oregon Ducks
Dana Altman was successful in leading his program to another NCAA Tournament and several upsets, as the Ducks have come to be synonymous with. Taking down the #2 Iowa Hawkeyes high-powered offense behind the collective production of Chris Duarte, Eugene Omoruyi and LJ Figueroa were crucial towards the team’s success throughout the year. However, the team looks to be headed for a state of rather large flux despite the team’s continued success in recent years.
The on-court play of Duarte and Omoruyi was both strong enough last season to increase their NBA Draft profiles this summer and seal their expected departures from the program. However, throughout the roster players are entering the transfer portal and dwindling the talent pool Coach Altman has to work with next season. Per Altman’s latest statements to the media, the expectations are that Amauri Hardy will move on from the program, and guards Aaron Estrada and Jalen Terry have decided to transfer as well.
For many programs this summer, this is not new. However, what is interesting is that the Ducks are only bringing in one player currently in their 2021 recruiting class – 5-star center Nathan Bittle. Oregon has taken massive losses to their backcourt this offseason and finding a way to land Washington is their only hopes at the moment of salvaging their potential rotation entering next season.
It’s likely the Ducks will heavily pursue players in the transfer portal throughout the summer to fill out their roster, but securing a talented floor general to continue the team’s chances of success should be #1.
Washington’s skill set is not very far off from a recent standout point guard with the program – Payton Pritchard. While the former has a long way to go before reaching the resume of Pritchard in a Ducks uniform, the playing styles have similarities that should make him a fan favorite in Eugene. Washington has displayed the same command and all-around offensive production for his team that Pritchard showed during his career in Eugene.
Committing to the Ducks would make Washington likely the top off-season asset for the program heading into next season and assuredly make fans and the coaching staff better about roster continuity prior to the 2021 season.