Brennan Rigsby: Oregon basketball's underrated star

Sophomore guard Brennan Rigsby came to play basketball at the University of Oregon from Northwest Florida State College where he led the team to an NJCAA national championship in 2022. 

Originally from De Beque, Colorado, Rigsby attended Wasatch Academy, Utah’s only college prep boarding school where he excelled on and off the court.

Head coach Dana Altman saw potential in the JUCO player and recruited him to come join his roster.

Since joining Oregon’s squad in 2022, Rigsby has seen the court in 36 games. In his sophomore season in Eugene, he only averaged 4.2 points per game and struggled from beyond the arc – shooting 40 percent from the field and 27.7 percent from 3-point range.

The now-junior Duck is hoping to go into coaching following his playing career and clearly has a good knowledge of the game.

"Always trying to get to the next level," Rigsby said. "Always trying to up your game."

His consistency at practice and in games has paid off, Rigsby has nearly doubled his points per game and has stepped up his defensive play. Contributing 6 steals and 3 blocks so far this season, he has become a key player on both ends of the court. 

Playing alongside freshman stars Jackson Shelstad and Mookie Cook as well as seniors like N’Faly Dante and Jesse Zarzuela, has cast a slight shadow over Rigsby’s game. Altman has utilized Rigsby in 15 of the Ducks’ 16 games this season and he currently sitting at 121 points for the year.

Rigsby has shared with GoDucks that there’s confidence amongst his teammates in handling what needs to get done for each game.

“Everybody’s a good playmaker and we’re just trying to play basketball,” Rigsby said. “Whoever’s got a hot hand, you know, they got it that night and we just play off each other.”

Playing in the Pac-12 is no easy feat with strongholds such as the Arizona Wildcats consistently dominating and programs like UCLA and USC being commanding opponents.

Rigsby had a season-high of 19 points against the Michigan Wolverines – who will be in the Ducks’ conference next year – and brought down 6 rebounds against the SEC’s Georgia Bulldogs.

With an improvement in nearly every stat from last season to this one, Rigsby has shown the growth and capabilities of a star player.

Read more: