Oregon was riddled, plagued, and haunted by injuries to its already young roster during the 2023-24 men’s basketball season.
Despite key players, like N’Faly Dante and Mookie Cook, missing a majority of the season, head coach Dana Altman led the Ducks to a Pac-12 Tournament title and a run to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32.
However, Jermaine Couisnard has hit the end of his eligibility. Jesse Zarzuela most likely won’t be returning for the Ducks. Brennan Rigsby is transferring to Maryland. Dante is requesting an unlikely sixth season of eligibility.
So, once again, the Ducks are looking at a depleted roster that will be filled to the brim with players who have minimal experience at the collegiate level.
On Thursday, Kadary Richmond, an all-star guard from Seton Hall, announced he had entered the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Seton Hall star Kadary Richmond has entered the transfer portal, sources told ESPN. First-team All-Big East guard averaged 15.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 5.1 APG, including triple-double vs. Creighton. 20+ points nine times in Big East play, went for 21-13-5 in NIT title game. pic.twitter.com/nWyH9Iq1md
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 25, 2024
Altman needs to get Richmond to bring his talents to Eugene.
Ironically, the Ducks’ season ended when they were bested by the Creighton Bluejays (Altman’s former team) whom Richmond had a triple-double against earlier in the year. In other words, Richmond could have been the key piece pushing the Ducks to victory.
Richmond’s size, at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, would beef up Oregon’s small backcourt, which currently consists of freshman guard Jackson Shelstad.
With Couisnard leaving Oregon, Richmond’s scoring ability would also greatly benefit the Ducks’ offense.
The combination of a sharp-thinking and quick-moving Shelstad with a sharp-shooting and quick-operating Richmond would be perfect for Altman’s roster.
Combining the two guards with returning forward Kwame Evans Jr., transfer forward Brandon Angel, and returning center Nate Bittle would give the Ducks a lethal starting five.
Oregon fans were pretty ecstatic with Dana Altman aligning Rubik’s Cubes once again to earn Angel’s commitment from the portal. Now they will have to wait to see if he can do it, once again, with Richmond.