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Oregon Basketball: Payton Pritchard Not Returning To Ducks

By Justin Phillips

EUGENE, OREGON - MARCH 07: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks encourages the crowd during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Matthew Knight Arena on March 07, 2020 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won 80-67. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON - MARCH 07: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks encourages the crowd during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Matthew Knight Arena on March 07, 2020 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won 80-67. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Last week we were joking with Payton Pritchard about a potential return. Head Coach Dana Altman told him, “It’s time to go.”, and whether the NCAA grants another season of eligibility, Pritchard is moving forward.

In a message he shared on Instagram on Tuesday, Pritchard thanked Duck Nation for their support saying he has played his final game as an Oregon Duck. Pritchard was not expected to return but had Oregon on another run for the NCAA Tournament when the season came to an abrupt end just before their first game of the Pac-12 Tournament last week, which now seems like a month ago.

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As it stood at the time, the Oregon Ducks were projected to be a five seed or better as they started their run to the final four. Some NCAA Bracketologists have Oregon losing out to a higher seed early, but we will never know with the season coming to an end over the Coronavirus concerns.

Payton Pritchard was also recognized as a First Team All American on Friday, the first-ever accolade for an Oregon Duck and well deserved. Over the last few weeks, the Oregon Senior has been recognized across the country. He was named to the Sporting News’ First Team last week. He has also been recognized by the Associated Press and should be by the NABC and USBWA next week.

The Oregon Ducks have only had second and third-team accolades on the All American Lists of the past including Luke Ridenour, Dillon Brooks, and AaronBrooks.

Payton Pritchard certainly has the potential at the next level in the NBA. I am not expecting him to land in the upcoming NBA Draft but he could sign as a Free Agent and find himself as a backup player to start his career.

Pritchard finished his career at the University of Oregon as the only player in Pac-12 history with 1900 points, 600 assists,  and 500 rebounds in his career.

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