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Oregon Ducks basketball preview: Breaking down the Ducks' 2025 roster
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- Oregon Ducks basketball preview: Breaking down the Ducks' 2025 roster
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball season is here, beginning with a Nov. 4 matchup against Hawaii that will tip off a 30-game season and what they hope is a deep run through both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.
They enter the year with a trio of talented returners in point guard Jackson Shelstad , center Nate Bittle and forward Kwame Evans Jr. Shooting guard Wei Lin is coming over from the Chinese Basketball Association in which he averaged over 20 points per game and will presumably provide exactly that for the Ducks .
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Head coach Dana Altman is back once again, heading into his 16th season at the helm of the Oregon program. He's one of the top coaches in the nation, having amassed 20 or more wins in each season with the Ducks. Under his leadership, Oregon will step into the 2025-26 campaign with high expectations once again.
Let's take a look at the Ducks' roster, with last season's stats when applicable and an analysis on each player.
G Jackson Shelstad
Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Jackson Shelstad (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Liberty Flames during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
2024 Stats:13.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Analysis:Shelstad has started 65 of a possible 67 games during his first two years with the Ducks, quickly establishing himself as Altman's trusted lead guard. His clutch shot-making prowess stood out a season ago, as he stepped up several times in hitting huge shots in critical moments. The West Linn, Ore., native is set to be the primary creator and ball-handler this season.
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C Nate Bittle
Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks center Nate Bittle (32) attempts a 3-point shot against Arizona Wildcats forward Henri Veesaar (13) in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
2024 Stats:14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 blocks
Analysis: One of the more dominant big man in the Big Ten last season, the 7-foot Bittle briefly went through the NBA Draft process before withdrawing his name and returning to Oregon for his fifth-year senior season. He's steadily improved each season and looks poised to improve upon his All-Big Ten Third Team campaign in 2024.
G Wei Lin
Oregon guard Wei Lin, right, brings the ball down court against Utah during the second half of an exhibition game at Matthew Knight Arena Oct. 24, 2025.
2024 Stats:21 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists
Analysis:A natural shot-maker, Lin was one of the top young guards in the Chinese Basketball Association for multiple seasons before making the transition to college basketball. He'll join Shelstad in the backcourt, providing creation for himself and for his teammates, as he's shown a flair for finding the open man in a pair of exhibition contests.
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F Kwame Evans Jr.
Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard KJ Lewis (5) drives to the basket against Oregon Ducks forward Kwame Evans Jr. (10) in the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
2024 Stats:6.1 points, 4.6 rebounds
Analysis:The glue-guy, Evans does a little bit of everything on the court. He's a solid rebounder and defender, often matching up with the opponents' top offensive threat. If he can improve his three-point shooting, Evans would take his game to the next level as a complimentary piece of the offense.
F Sean Stewart
Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Sean Stewart (13) shoots the ball while Iowa Hawkeyes forward Ladji Dembele (13) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
2024 Stats:5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds
Analysis:Coming over from Ohio State, the former four-star is a bona-fide bruiser in the paint — as evidenced by him averaging more rebounds than points a season ago. He started all 30 games for the Buckeyes but likely will be a bench contributor for the Ducks playing behind Evans at the power forward spot.
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G Takai Simpkins
Oregon men's basketball coach, right, talks to Takai Simpkins during the exhibition game against Utah at Matthew Knight Arena Oct. 24, 2025.
2024 Stats:16.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Analysis:A senior, Simpkins transferred to Oregon from Elon, where he was the primary scorer for a team that won 17 games last season. At 6-foot-4, Simpkins has the ability to fire from deep (36.7% from 3-point range), slash to the hoop or find teammates. He's unlikely to start alongside Shelstad and Lin in the backcourt, instead presumably fitting in as a scorer off the bench.
C Ege Demir
2024 Stats:5.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 blocks
Analysis:Demir is as physical as it gets thanks to his chiseled 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame. He's a true lob threat from the center position and moves well defensively, giving the Ducks the potential ability to switch when he's in the game. With Bittle occupying the starting center spot, Demir will likely log backup minutes at center.
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F Devon Pryer
2024 Stats:3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds
Analysis: A former four-star, Pryer transferred from Texas as he played in under 13 minutes per game a season ago. His lack of three-point shooting (career 19.0%) held him back during his time with the Longhorns. He'll be a junior and will likely come off the bench.
G Jamari Phillips
2024 Stats:1.4 points, 0.8 rebounds
Analysis:The 11th-ranked shooting guard in the 2024 class, Phillips saw action in 14 games last season and scored 19 points while connecting on four triples.
F Miles Stewart
2024 Stats:Stewart spent the last three seasons at Howard before landing with the Ducks for his senior season. He started just five games during that time, serving as a bench player the majority of the time.
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Analysis:3.5 points, 2.4 rebounds
F Dezdrick Lindsay
Analysis:Playing his first two seasons — he was injured and missed all of last season — at Florida Southwestern, Lindsay is a talented scorer and could help provide scoring at the forward position for Oregon.
F Oleksandr Kobzystfi
Analysis:The Ukrainian forward was with the Ducks last season, playing in just two games and grabbing a single rebound.
F Luke Johnson
2024 Stats:Entering his sophomore season, Johnson played in two games last season.
G Drew Carter
Analysis:A senior who spent time at UC Davis before landing at Oregon last season, Carter played in four games.
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G JJ Frakes
Analysis:Frakes was a three-star recruit in the 2025 class, hailing from Barrien Spring, MI.
G Rian Gonzalez
Analysis:A freshman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Gonzalez won four consecutive state title during his high school career.
F Efe Vatan
Analysis:Vatan is a Turkey native, competing last season in the Turkey U19 League.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Full preview of Oregon Ducks men's basketball ahead of 2025 season
