Oregon center Nate Bittle announced Monday morning on his Instagram page that he's declaring for the NBA draft while maintaining college eligibility, meaning that he plans to get an evaluation of his pro prospects while retaining the option to return to Eugene for a fifth season.
It's a smart move for the 7-0 shot blocker from Central Point. He gets the information he needs to assess his career prospects, knowing his starting spot in the Ducks lineup is waiting for him if the draft eval comes back "needs improvement."
He'll get a clearer picture of what he needs to work on to become a first-rounder in 2026. Under NCAA rules, he's allowed to take this step without endangering his eligibility.
UPDATE: Nate Bittle has announced he is entering the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.
— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) March 31, 2025
Also says if he does return, it will be to Oregon and will not enter the portal pic.twitter.com/RH9gF7v995
Bittle's indicated he has no intention of entering the transfer portal. If the NBA's assessment says he's not first- or second-round material, he'll rejoin the Ducks for 2025-26, forming the nucleus of a promising squad along with guard Jackson Shelstad and 6-9 forward Kwame Evans.
The website nbadraftroom.com says Bittle has potential as a pro but needs to attack some flaws in his game to make top money.
"Bittle is a stretch big with a nice skill set to go along with his really good height and length. He’s a unique talent who shows a complete game, being able to pass, dribble and shoot the ball. Impressive for a 6-11 player. His shot is a bit funky but he hits it. And he’s got a nice mid range bag, being able to turn and fade away or step into his jumper.nbadraftroom.com
He’s got a long way to go to grow into his frame and will have to add a serious amount of muscle. He’s one to keep an eye on. If he puts it all together he could be a first-round talent."
This season for the Ducks he led the team in scoring with 14.2 points a game and rebounding at 7.6 a game. He missed all but five games in 2023-24 with a wrist injury and an unspecified illness. Bittle put up the best game of his career in the last regular season tipoff of the year, leashing the Huskies with a career-high 36 points while adding 12 rebounds and two blocked shots.
Nate Bittle scored 2️⃣1️⃣ points in the first half 💥
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 9, 2025
Watch each of his buckets 👇 #B1GMBBall x @OregonMBB pic.twitter.com/dimABFy766
NBA first-round picks earn contracts based on a generous rookie salary scale that ranges from $30 million for the No. 1 overall selection down to a measly $12.84 million for pick No. 30. Second-round salaries have to be negotiated. The NBA minimum for a rookie salary comes in at $838,000 a year.
According to On3 Sports, Duke's Cooper Flagg tops NCAA basketball NIL valuations at $4.8 million. Braden Smith, a point guard from Purdue, ranks 25th among college athletes at $1.8 million. Put Bittle somewhere between those figures if he elects to return to Mat Knight arena, and pencil the Ducks in for another run at the Elite Eight if he comes back.