Tag: Jackson Shelstad

Kwame Evans Jr. announces return to Oregon for 2024-25 season

Big-time returner for the Ducks in 2024.

Kwame Evans Jr., a freshman power forward for the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team, will return to Oregon for the 2024-25 season. Evans announced the news Tuesday morning on Twitter.

After the Ducks lost Creighton in the round of 32 of the NCAA tournament and their season came to a close, Evans left his future at Oregon ambiguous, telling Oregonian reporter James Crepea that it was “hard to tell,” what his future looked like.

Evans was a key player for the Ducks throughout last season, and he could be even more impactful going forward. As a freshman, Evans averaged 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, while also averaging more than one steal and one block each game.

In 2023-24, Evans did experience some struggles finding consistency in his game. Smoked layups and defensive breakdowns weren’t uncommon for the freshman. But what has never been in doubt is Evans’ talent and potential to grow. Even from the start of the season to the end, Evans transformed his game, and there’s no cap on what he can do going forward.

Evans came to Oregon as a 5-star recruit in the class of 2023, and he was joined by Jackson Shelstad and Mookie Cook — two Portland natives who were also highly sought after in their recruiting class. Shelstad and Cook have both announced their intent to return to Eugene in the fall, and now that the trio of elite recruits has a year of experience, Oregon could be a dangerous team come fall.

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Oregon named as top school for Villanova transfer guard TJ Bamba

TJ Bamba, a fifth-year senior guard in the transfer portal, has named the Oregon Ducks as one of his top six schools.

After losing several key rotation players to the transfer portal, Dana Altman and the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team now have a chance to bring in a key piece from the portal. According to a report from 24/7 High School Hoops, TJ Bamba, a fifth-year senior guard, has narrowed his search to six schools, one of which is Oregon.

Since the end of the 2023-24 season, the Ducks have lost guards Kario Oquendo and Brennan Risgby to the transfer portal, and Vyctorious Miller, an incoming recruit, was released from his letter of intent. Oregon is also losing star guard Jermaine Couisnard this offseason since he is out of eligibility, leaving the Ducks without much guard depth.

Bamba has experience playing on the West Coast. Before transferring to Villanova last season, Bamba played three seasons with the Washington State Cougars. With the Wildcats last year, Bamba was second in scoring, averaging 10.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. All four years of Bamba’s college career have been full seasons, leaving him with just his Covid-year of eligibility.

At 6’5″ and 208 lbs., Bamba has good size for a guard, which helps him get downhill and finish through contact at the rim. Bamba also shoots the ball efficiently from the perimeter, especially when moving off the ball, looking for catch-and-shoot attempts.

One of the guards who is returning for Oregon in the fall is Jackson Shelstad, who already seems like the Ducks’ next star. As a freshman, Shelstad averaged 12.8 points per game and scored 20+ points five times. If Bamba chooses Oregon, he and Shelstad could be a dangerous duo in the backcourt, especially with Bamba’s affinity for moving off the ball to get open for threes.

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Jackson Shelstad announces return to Oregon in the fall

Oregon Ducks freshman point guard Jackson Shelstad announces he’ll return to Oregon in the fall.

Jackson Shelstad, the Oregon Ducks star freshman point guard, has announced that he will return to Oregon in the fall for his sophomore season.

In his freshman season, Shelstad averaged 12.8 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. There was some inconsistency from Shelstad this season, but that’s to be expected from freshmen. What’s important to focus on are the flashes of greatness.

Shelstad had plenty of flashes. His game-winner against Michigan way back in December — helping to heal Ducks fans less than 24 hours after Oregon football’s loss to Washington — stands out. The 18-year-old also scored 20+ points in a game five times this season, including his 21-point performance against Arizona in the Pac-12 tournament.

Shelstad isn’t the only Duck who intends to run it back in 2025. Brennan Rigsby and Jadrian Tracey have said they’d like to return next season, and KJ Evans is “undecided” according to reports from James Crepea in the Oregonian.

With N’Faly Dante and Jermaine Couisnard on their way out, Shelstad seems to be the next man up. Those two guys leave big shoes to fill, but Shelstad might be more talented than both of them. The key will be finding consistency and improving the weaker facets of his game.

11-seed Ducks are being highlighted as potential bracket buster in March Madness

The 11-seeded Oregon Ducks are being highlighted as a potential bracket buster in the NCAA Tournament this year.

One of the many ways the NCAA tournament is one of the best sporting events out there are the upsets. Everyone loves a Cinderella story and there’s at least one in every March.

The 5-12 game is usually one that people point to, but the contest pitting the 11-seed vs. the 6-seed is a definite upset contender. As it so happens, the Ducks find themselves as the 11-seed in the Midwest Regional against the 5-seed South Carolina.

According to USA TODAY writer Jordan Mendoza, Oregon is a team that could make one of those improbable runs in this year’s tournament.

“Another Power Six team that only got in the tournament by becoming conference tournament champion, Oregon’s hot play makes them a dangerous No. 11 seed to go against this upcoming weekend,” he said. “The Ducks got excellent play from guard Jackson Shelstad, who makes the backcourt even more explosive with Jermaine Couisnard. Mix that in with big man N’Faly Dante and Oregon has several ways to attack on offense.”

Those three players mentioned are going to have to have good games in order for the Ducks to survive and advance. But the lack of depth with just eight scholarship players available, should eventually catch up with Oregon.

But the NCAA tournament is usually an event where the point guard dominates and for the first time since Payton Pritchard, the Ducks have a pure point guard in Shelstad. He gives Oregon a fighter’s chance to advance further than anyone thought just two weeks ago when Arizona hung 100 on the Ducks in Tuscon.

Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week

Oregon Ducks freshman Jackson Shelstad named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after a strong finish to the regular season.

While the Oregon Ducks may need a miracle run through the Pac-12 Tournament this week in order to avoid a third-straight trip to the NIT Tournament, there’s no arguing that one of their freshman stars has been a massive success so far this season.

Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week for the final stretch of the regular season.

Shelstad scored a career-high 23 points against Colorado on March 7, connecting on 10-of-15 field goal attempts, with six assists. He closed the weekend with his fourth consecutive double-digit outing, scoring 12 points in the regular-season finale win vs. Utah.

In his freshman season, Shelstad is averaging 12.7 points, 3.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game. He has started the last 25 games and scored in double-figures 19 times, including four 20-point games.

Shelstad is Oregon’s first Pac-12 Freshman of the Week since the award’s debut in 2019-20.

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Photo Gallery: Oregon closes the season with a win on Senior Night

A photo gallery of the best images from the Oregon Ducks 2024 men’s basketball Senior Night.

On Saturday, the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team played their final 2023-24 regular season game in Matthew Knight Arena, beating the Utah Utes 66-65 on Senior Night. On Thursday, the Ducks will tip off their first game of the Pac-12 tournament, against the winner of the UCLA vs. Oregon State first-round matchup.

Both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket in Saturday’s game, but because of the defensive battle, the score of the game was tight throughout. The Ducks got their biggest spark midway through the second half when N’Faly Dante finished at the rim on three consecutive possessions, drawing and-one fouls on two of the baskets.

Saturday wasn’t just another game for Oregon, it was also Senior Night. The Ducks senior class includes N’Faly Dante, Jermaine Couisnard, Keeshawn Barthelemy, Kario Oquendo, and Mahamadou Diawara, as well as walk-ons Gabe Reichle and Caleb McCloud. Since the Ducks are likely bound for the NIT again this season, this probably won’t be these senior’s last game at Matthew Knight.

Below are the best images from the Oregon Ducks’ 2023-24 Senior Night win over Utah.

 

MBB Recap: Oregon gets crushed down in the desert, giving up season-high 103 points

The Oregon Ducks fall to the Arizona Wildcats 83-103 on Saturday morning.

The Oregon Ducks lost to the Arizona Wildcats in their final road game of the Pac-12 season, and it was a game that was never close.

For a few minutes to start the game, the Ducks traded baskets with the Wildcats, but then Arizona quickly went on a run, and the Ducks lost control of the game. At the half, the Ducks were down 30-51.

In the second half, there were points where it looked like Oregon might crawl back, but the Wildcats always responded and re-extended their lead. Jermaine Cousinard came alive for the Ducks in the second half, scoring 33 second-half points on 75% shooting, but it wasn’t enough to give Oregon a chance to win.

N’Faly Dante had an injury scare in the second half after Jadrian Tracey fell on his ankle. Dante went to the locker room in visible pain, but he returned to the bench a few minutes later and finished the game for the Ducks.

MBB Recap: Oregon grabs definitive win against Stanford

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12 days ago, the Oregon Ducks lost to Washington State at home, all but extinguishing their March Madness hopes. But after winning on Saturday at Oregon State, and winning Thursday night in Palo Alto against the Stanford Cardinal, the Ducks have shown that they are not yet out of the fight.

After a close first half, the Ducks pulled away in the second half. The Cardinal were held to 41% from the field in the second half and 33 points, which led Oregon to a 13-point victory.

Jadrian Tracey shined in Thursday’s win. He finished with 19 points on 62% shooting. He also made 4/5 three-pointers, several of which were in the first half, which helped jump-start the Ducks’ offense.

Below are the rest of my instant reactions to Oregon’s Thursday night win.

MBB Recap: Ducks survive to beat the Beavers in Corvallis

The Oregon Ducks beat the Oregon State Beavers 60-58 on Saturday night.

The Oregon Ducks nearly fumbled a double-digit lead to Oregon State, but they survived to beat the Beavers on the road. There were a lot of problems with Saturday’s game, but a win is a win, and the Ducks can be happy they got the job done.

With 6:19 to go in the game, Oregon led 51-38, but five minutes later the Beavers had tied the game 58-58. During that stretch, Oregon’s offense went ice cold, due to the Ducks holding the ball for two-thirds of the shot clock each possession.

With just over 30 seconds to play, Jermaine Couisnard missed a floater with the shot clock winding down. Brennan Rigsby grabbed the rolling rebound and put up a shot. His shot was no good, but the Ducks grabbed another offensive rebounded and N’Faly Dante slammed home a dunk to put the Ducks up by two with one second to go.

Bracketology Update: Oregon handles Washington but falls off the bubble

Oregon’s win over Washington didn’t do much for their bubble watch, but a loss would have been disastrous.

After losses to Arizona and UCLA, the Oregon Ducks window to qualify for the NCAA tournament narrowed considerably. Now, every game ahead of Oregon on the schedule is a must-win game. The Ducks’ only other route to March Madness is winning the Pac-12 championship.

On Thursday night, the Ducks did their job and beat Washington at home. It was Oregon’s only game between the Tuesday and Friday updates of Joe Lunardi’s ESPN Bracketology, and although the Ducks won, they fell out of the “next four out” category of Lunardi’s rankings.

Washington is 4-8 in conference play this season and they sit near the bottom of the Pac-12, so it makes sense that beating them doesn’t do much for Oregon’s resume. Still, it was an important win, because a loss would’ve meant curtains for the Ducks’ hope for an at-large bid.

On Saturday afternoon, Oregon will host Washington State for the second game of their homestand, which will be a more impactful game for the Ducks resume if they can win. The Cougars are tied with Oregon for second place in the conference, and they are one of three Pac-12 teams in the 68-team field in Lunardi’s current rankings. The Cougars score at a high rate, and the Ducks defense has been struggling recently, so Saturday’s game will certainly be a challenge, but if the Ducks can win, they should be back on the bubble.

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