Oregon basketball building chemistry as 2021-22 season approaches

Oregon basketball coach Dana Altman has found success in the past working with transfer athletes and he will look to do it again in 2021. De’Vion Harmon, Jacob Young, and Quincy Guerrier have all come to play for the Ducks.

Young is a name Duck fans already know as Jacob is the younger brother of Joseph Young who also played for Oregon.

With just a few weeks of practice under the Ducks’ belts, Altman is not looking to know everything he has, but the pieces he has to work with and where these players can be put into the lineup. It is the game that every college basketball coach plays this time of the year and Altman has shown in seasons past, he is one of the best to do it.

Oregon has a scrimmage this weekend with Kansas State. There will be no box score or winner or loser. In fact, aside from a few spots, you may not even hear about it.

Speaking of what he has seen from his top three transfers, Altman has been impressed, “You’re always fortunate when you get guys from really good coaches/programs. Those three guys are used to going hard, working with good coaching staff(s). They have blended in pretty quickly.”

As far as where on the floor they may play, Altman said all three could be in a spot to run the floor. He said all three are shooting the ball well and that Young is fast with the ball but they are working on cutting down his turnover ratio. Keep in mind, it is just practice — at least for now.

N’Faly Dante is closer to a return as well after a knee injury last season. He has gone through a nine-month recovery. Altman (as a guess) believes he may see his big center back in action in 4-6 weeks, but with a knee injury, it may be closer to the Pac-12 schedule.

One player that Altman spoke highly of was Will Richardson who is in a position that is rarely seen in not just college basketball but college athletics as a whole. He is a senior, entering his fourth year with the program. He brings experience. He has been to the postseason a few times and has also seen two Pac-12 titles. Richardson has an opportunity to lead the team in 2021.

Oregon basketball opens the upcoming season on Tuesday, Nov. 9, hosting Texas Southern at 4 p.m. PT at Matthew Knight Arena.

Quotes obtained during Dana Altman media availability on 10/21/21