Top-Transfer Portal Targets: Oregon Ducks Basketball Contacts Elite Guard

Which top transfer portal targets make sense for the Oregon Ducks? Oregon coach Dana Altman revealed that he wants to retain the current roster and has reached out to North Dakota State transfer guard Jacari White. Oregon State forward Michael Rataj could also be a great fit.

Mar 14, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman in the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks saw their season end in heartbreaking fashion as they dropped their second-round NCAA Tournament game 87-83 to the Arizona Wildcats this past weekend.

However, Oregon coach Dana Altman and the coaching staff can't dwell on the loss for too long as the transfer portal opened up on Monday, forcing the Ducks to quickly turn their attention to roster retention and acquisitions.

Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (9) dribbles the ball against Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis (5) in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Altman and the Ducks have been in contact with North Dakota State transfer guard Jacari White, according to On3. White is ranked as the No. 58 prospect in the portal and has one year of eligibility left. He averaged 17.1 points per game in 2024-25 and could be an elite shooter for the Ducks.

Another transfer option is located much closer to Eugene. Oregon State Beavers forward Michael Rataj has entered his name in the portal. Rataj is ranked as the No. 21 best prospect in the portal and is 6-foot-9. The Beavers' leading scorer last season, Rataj was an all-West Coast Conference first team forward.

As far as retaining his current team, Altman made a simple plea to the Ducks' roster: stay if you're happy.

"I want our guys to be happy. I hope they can be happy at the University of Oregon. You can't be your best in any relationship unless you're happy, you know, you want to be in that relationship. I hope and pray that the guys want to stay because I, like I said, I want 'em to stay. Everybody that can come back, I want 'em to come back," Altman said.

Altman understands that not every player on the roster will want to return to Eugene for another season, but says the program isn't afraid to go out and recruit players through the transfer portal in order to continue the success Oregon had in their first year in the Big Ten.

"I hope the guys want to stay; we'll have conversations with 'em. I told 'em to focus on winning ball games, and we would worry about that after the season. We'll have those conversations and hopefully they go our way, and if not, then we'll find a group that wants to be at Oregon and wants to compete in the Big Ten and wants to try to go a little further in the NCAA Tournament," Altman said.

Although he wants to retain a majority of the roster that's eligible to come back, Altman wants what's best for the players, whether that's at Oregon or at another school.

"With my players, I want 'em to be happy. And if they don't think I'm the guy or Oregon's the place, I understand that," said Altman.

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Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman works the sideline against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Currently, the Ducks have only one player in the transfer portal with forward Mookie Cook electing to enter his name in the portal.

Oregon has only one high school prospect set to sign with the program in three-star guard JJ Frakes. The Ducks will have to seriously focus their attention to the portal if they want to fill out the rest of their roster.

One of the most pressing needs for the Ducks will be frontcourt depth with their backup center Supreme Cook's eligibility expiring and starting center Nate Bittle having to apply for a waiver if he wants to continue his college career. Another one of Oregon's starters, forward Brandon Angel, will not return next season as well due to graduation, leaving the program with a few spots up for grabs as they comb through the portal.

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