Oregon Center N'Faly Dante Announces Return for 2023 Season With Ducks
Oregon center N'Faly Dante isn't finished playing his college basketball just yet.
On Monday, the Ducks' big man announced that he will return to Eugene for the 2023-2024 college basketball season.
"Unfinished business! Let's get it Duck nation," he wrote in a social media post.
Dante has played four seasons with the Ducks, but 2022 was by far his most productive yet--setting career highs in points (415), rebounds (260) and blocks (43). Oregon's premier center finished last year's campaign averaging 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
One of his best performances of the year came against one of the conference's most storied programs, scoring 22 points against the Arizona Wildcats on January 14.
For an offseason that's already been turbulent to say the least, Dante's return is significant. Head coach Dana Altman has already seen five players depart with Kel'el Ware (Indiana), Tyrone Williams, Lök Wur and Rivaldo Soares all opting to enter the transfer portal.
Veteran guard Will Richardson exhausted his college eligibility and the Ducks are still waiting for a decision from guard Keeshawn Barthelemy.
Oregon finished the year at 21-15 overall and went 12-8 in conference play before their season ended in a 61-58 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in the NIT quarterfinals.
The Ducks are slated to inject a lot of young talent next season with the signings of in-state star point guard Jackson Shelstad, as well as forwards Mookie Cook and Kwame Evans Jr. Having a productive and experienced big as talented as Dante on the squad should only make them more effective, even as true freshmen.
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