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The 2019 season for the Ducks is already off to a rough start and they haven’t played one game. Yesterday, Abu Kigab elected not to return to Oregon this season and will be transferring to another school. Then, It was announced earlier today that Bol Bol is out for the season (foot) and will enter the 2019 NBA Draft. Two players gone for the program in a one-day span is not the ideal situation for a team looking to build up their NCAA Tournament resume with the start of conference play kicking off in two days.
Bol Bol hasn’t played in the last four games and thought it would be best for his future professional career to not play again for Oregon. I get that. Oregon fans were expecting him to leave after only one season for the Ducks anyways. I just wish it didn’t have to end like this because of a nagging left foot injury. Bol had surgery today and is looking to begin his rehab process in a week. In nine games played for the Ducks, Bol averaged 21.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 2.7 BPG. He also had four double-doubles. Francis Okoro and Miles Norris will see an increase in minutes with Kenny Wooten out as well (broken jaw suffered against Baylor).
Playing for my dream school under my favorite Coach Altman has been the Best part of my life and sadly it has come to end sooner than I would Like but thank you for all those who rocking with me & all Oregon fans thank you #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/qYnjKO0p6x
— Bol (@bolmanutebol) January 3, 2019
Abu Kigab was not happy with his lack of minutes this season and has decided to take his talents to another program. He averaged 15 MPG while appearing in ten games. Abu only accounted for 2.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 1.8 APG in those minutes. Kigab played his season-high 21 minutes in the season-opener against Portland State and it went down from there. It seemed Abu’s time on the court next season would be very minimal as well due to the returning players in his position and the 2019 recruiting class consisting of both CJ Walker and Chandler Lawson.
Illionis, Boise state, Vanderbilt, Grand Canyon, Cal St Fullerton, Cal St Barbara, Creighton, Jacksonville State, Akron have all reached out expressing interest in Oregon transfer Abu Kigab @NorthPoleHoops
— Elias Sbiet (@Elias_NPH) January 3, 2019
With all these losses, it seems to me that Oregon’s goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament is in even more jeopardy. A realistic goal is an invitation to the NIT. Oregon hosts Oregon State on Saturday at 8 PM ET on PAC-12 Network.
*Arden Cravalho is a senior at Gonzaga University... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho