No matter what happens as the season winds down, this year has to be looked at as a success for the Oregon Men's basketball team. Oregon has had to incorporate four new junior college transfers into its regular rotation, while sustaining the early season transfers of McDonald's All-American shooting guard Jabari Brown and backup point guard Bruce Barron. After over-achieving last year, Dana Altman's squad is doing it again behind the scoring ability of Devoe Joseph, the grit and leadership of E.J. Singler, and Carlos Emory's explosiveness off the bench. Dana Altman has proven himself to be a great coach and a good recruiter, regardless of the defections of Brown and Barron. With five rotation players set to graduate this year, coupled with the two transfers, Oregon has at least seven scholarships to offer, and a need to fill some holes and add depth. Ideally they would save one or two of those scholarships for next year and get a couple JUCO guys this year to balance out the classes. Oregon already has three high school commitments: PG Dominic Artis from California, PF Ben Carter from Nevada, and SF Damyean Dotson from Texas, in addition to C/PF Arik Armstead, who has a football scholarship.
After the jump, a look at some of the other players on Oregon's radar.
Anthony Bennett PF - Anthony Bennett is a consensus top 10 player in the country. At 6'7 and 230 lbs, Bennett is slightly undersized for the PF position, though this is less important at the college level. He is very strong and athletic and a great rebounder. Bennett plays for prep powerhouse Findlay Prep in Nevada, the same school as Oregon commit Dominic Artis. Artis is reportedly advocating on Oregon's behalf and Bennett has Oregon in his final five, along with Florida, Kentucky, UNLV, and Washington. Given his ability and Oregon's lack of depth at the power forward position, Bennett would likely start right away for the Ducks.
Jarion Henry SF - Henry is a 6'9, 200 lbs forward from Texas who is playing his high school basketball in La Jolla this year. Henry has great size, though he needs to add some weight. He is athletic and tenacious with a lot of upside, though he's not a great shooter yet. He originally committed to New Mexico, but his recruiting is now apparently open.
Nick Wiggins SG (JC) - Nick Wiggins is a junior college guy who was recently covered by Bob Rickert. Wiggins is a 6'6 shooting guard from Canada and the son of former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins. He's a slasher who is averaging 18 points and 5 rebs a game for Wabash Valley. In addition to Oregon, he is being chased by Baylor, Pittsburgh, Villanova, and Wichita State, among others. Oregon and Wichita are reportedly at the top of his list.
Devon Branch SG (JC) - Branch is another 6'6 juco shooting guard who can light up the scoreboard. Oregon is in desperate need for a SG this year, especially a shooter, and Branch fits the bill: he is a high percentage 3-point shooter and is averaging 20 ppg this year. Sounds like he may favor Maryland right now, but Oregon is in the mix.
Spencer Coleman SF (JC) - Coleman is a Eugene native who has been putting up good numbers this year in junior college. Matt Prehm reports averages of 15 points and 8 boards. Coleman apparently doesn't have an offer from Oregon but is a name to keep tabs on as the recruiting season wears on.