The Oregon Ducks come into the college basketball season without three significant players from last year’s team. Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Ruthy Hebard all went on to play in the WNBA. But Oregon still has some talent on their roster. The only returning starter on the team will be senior Erin Boley, but they also have Sedona Prince, who is set to make her college debut after sitting out last year. Prince is a transfer player from Texas. Even with the three-star players moving on, the Ducks will be coming into the season ranked No.10 and picked to finish in the top three in the Pac-12 conference.
Boley and Prince, named to the 15-player preseason all-conference team. Boley averaged 9.2 points per game last season while shooting 44% from three-point land. A lot of those shots were open looks because of the star power on Oregon last season. She will get more shot attempts this season, and her points per game should go up. Boley will be a crucial player to the Ducks’ success.
Prince is an excellent low post scorer; she plays well around the rim and can score with either hand. Prince also can knock down mid-range jumpers. The forward is also an outstanding passer, and the Ducks will run the offense through her in the low and high post.
After missing two years because of injuries, Nyara Sabally is back and ready to play. She is the younger sister of Satou. Sabally is a low post player that also can shoot from the outside. The power forward is athletic, powerful, and can run the court.
Also taking on more significant roles for Oregon will be Taylor Chavez and Jaz Shelley. Chavez won Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year last year; she shot 44% from three-point land and will be a lethal shooter for the Ducks’ offense. Shelley is another capable outside shooter who will be able to knock down open shots.
The Ducks got another transfer player, Taylor Mikesell, transferred to Oregon from Maryland along with Prince. She is a career 41% three-point shooter from beyond the arc.
The Ducks have a lot of outside shooters and two excellent low post players in Prince and Sabally. Oregon will have an exciting team; they can play fast-paced and half-court offense with their lost post players. Oregon kicks its season off Saturday against Seattle University at 11:00 am PST.
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