Leading scorer and rebounder Nate Bittle intends to withdraw his name from NBA draft consideration and return to the Ducks this fall, according to reports from Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports and others.
The 7-foot center from Central Point High School and Crater, Oregon made the first team All-Defensive Team in the Big Ten last season while scoring a career-high 36 points in an 80-73 overtime win against Washington on March 9.
Bittle followed that game up with 22 points and 11 rebounds against Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament.
A versatile scorer who can shoot the three (33.6 percent,) defend or score around the basket, Bittle was playing his best basketball down the stretch for the Ducks.
His return gives Dana Altman a Big Three of guard Jackson Shelstad and 6-9 forward Kwame Evans, who announced their decisions to return back in April. That's 34 points accounted for if the three only match their production from last season.
From the portal the Ducks have picked 6-7 Texas forward Devon Pryor and 6-4 guard TK Simpkins. Originally they'd made an agreement to add Penn State big man Miles Goodman, but he's been dismissed for legal troubles back in Happy Valley.
Bittle's an excellent free throw shooter, connecting on 81 percent from the last season.
The Ducks also added 6-9 power forward Sean Stewart from Ohio State, a four-star prospect who averaged 5.7 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Buckeyes last season. Ra'Heim Moss, Brandon Angel and Mookie Cook left the team via the portal.