Mookie Cook has entered the transfer portal. The 6-6 forward signed with the Ducks in 2023, a Rivals 4-star recruit from Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona, originally from Portland, Oregon. Just 24 hours ago he told James Crepea of the Oregonian he was "thinking of coming back" to UO, but he's elected to explore his options in search of a starting role.
Cook was limited to five games in 2023 by an injury as a true freshman, but flashed quickness and defensive skills coming off the bench this season. In Oregon's first-round 81-52 win over Liberty in the NCAA Tournament he put up six points and a steal in just four minutes.
As a high school prospect he was the No. 33 recruit in the country and No. 9 small forward, rated four stars by Rivals. The Ducks lose starting forward Brandon Angel to graduation but 6-5 guard and sixth man Jadarian Tracey is slated to come back. Center Nate Bittle has an addition year available, as do Kwame Evans and Jackson Shelstad, though all three will be weighing their NBA options.
Expect head coach Dana Altman and his staff to be active shopping the transfer portal, looking for options to get more athletic on the wing and on defense. An active leaper with the ability to shoot the three will be a major priority. Junior forward Dez Lindsay returns after a redshirt year, 6-6 from Florida Southwestern in Fort Myers, Florida. He averaged 16 points a game as a sophomore at FSWU, shooting 42% from three.