Biggest Transfer Portal Targets for Oregon, Dana Altman

The Oregon Ducks and coach Dana Altman have their work cut out for them when the NCAA transfer portal opens the day after the national championship.

Mar 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

The NCAA transfer portal officially opens up the day after the national championship on Tuesday, April 7. It will be for 15 days until April 21.

Even though the portal isn't open yet, close to 500 players across the country have made it clear that they will be entering their names and looking for a new home.

Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad breaks away for a layup as the Oregon Ducks host the UC Davis Aggies on Dec. 13, 2025, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks 2025-26 roster has been gutted with the losses of junior guard Jackson Shelstad, junior forward Kwame Evans Jr., and redshirt junior forward Dezdrick Lindsay to the portal. Not to mention center Nate Bittle running out of college basketball eligibility as he prepares for the 2026 NBA Draft.

Coach Dana Altman's 2026 recruiting class brings in prowess and athleticism out on the wing with 6-6 four-star Tajh Ariza. Not to mention the powerful 6-6 three-star power forward Kendre Harrison, who will be a dual-athlete in Eugene, Oregon, playing tight end for coach Dan Lanning as his more prominent sport next season.

The No. 1-overall basketball recruit in the 2026 high school class, five-star forward Tyran Stokes out of Rainer Beach in Seattle, Washington, is still weighing his options after competing in the McDonald's All-American Game. He's considering the Ducks, along with the Kansas Jayhawks and Kentucky Wildcats. The nearby Washington Huskies and even Gonzaga Bulldogs have re-entered his recruitment conversation as of late.

Mar 31, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tyran Stokes (4) reacts during the McDonald's All American Boys Game at Desert Diamond Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Keep in mind that Altman is navigating through the transfer portal without the help of a general manager, a position that has been utilized more across the sport and in this day of age with Name, Image, and Likeness or NIL. and revenue sharing.

Here are a handful of names to pay attention to right before the chaos of the offseason starts to flourish.

GCU Lopes guard Makaih Williams (2) celebrates with teammate Dennis Evans (14) after his slam dunk while being fouled against the Colorado State Rams at GCU Arena in Phoenix, on Jan. 3, 2026. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Grand Canyon's Dennis Evans

The first apparent need for the 2026-27 roster is size in the paint and rim protection. Only 6-11 junior center Ege Demir from Darüssafaka Lassa in Istanbul, Turkey, remains as a defensive presence at the basket for Oregon.

Grand Canyon Antelopes redshirt sophomore center Dennis Evans is looking to step into a more trustworthy role. After transferring from the Louisville Cardinals in 2023-24, a shoulder setback continued to affect his role under coach Bryce Drew in Phoenix, Arizona.

At 7-2, Evans has untapped potential that is intriguing and is a low-risk, high-reward situation. More NIL funds can be saved for more-proven players with recent NCAA Tournament experience.

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Santa Clara Broncos guard Christian Hammond (1) dribbles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5) during the first half of a first-round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

High-Volume Scoring Options

With the likely return of sophomore guard Wei Lin to the Pacific Northwest, he's going to need support in the backcourt as the Xiamen, Fujian, China native continues to adjust to the American game. A combo guard is needed alongside Lin, someone who can act as both a facilitator and a scoring threat.

The dream would be Virginia Tech Hokies freshman Neoklis Avdalas, but he's going to be sought after by basically everyone across the sport. 'Baby Luka' has a NIL valuation of $1.5 million and is ranked as the No. 2-overall player available in the transfer portal, according to Rivals.

Two more realistic targets coming off their March Madness runs jump into mind with this type of role: Santa Clara Broncos redshirt sophomore guard Christian Hammond and Furman Paladins freshman guard Alex Wilkins.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Kennesaw State Owls guard RJ Johnson (11) dribbles against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Adam Miller (23) during the second half of a first-round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Support in the Backcourt

A recruit with mid-major success looking for his shine at a high-major level is more in Oregon's wheelhouse, and there are plenty of those options available. Here are a few notable names that can come in and prove their true capabilities in the highly-competitive Big Ten Conference.

• Buffalo Bulls sophomore Daniel Freitag
• Boston Terriers freshman Chance Gladden
• Kennesaw State Owls redshirt sophomore RJ Johnson
• Charleston Cougars junior Jalen Cox
• Delaware Blue Hens redshirt sophomore Christian Bliss

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