Will Nate Bittle make his return this week? Latest Oregon MBB injury updates

Duck center Nate Bittle has been out of commission since November 2023,  when he had surgery on his left wrist.

At first glance, Bittle was not expected to return for the remainder of the season but more recent evaluations have the Oregon center hopeful to make a comeback before the year ends.

Toward the end of December, head coach Dana Altman started reporting more positive feedback from Bittle’s medical assessments. About two weeks after his cast removal, Altman shared that Bittle was “moving a little quicker, so we're hoping that he might be ready.”

In his sophomore season, Bittle averaged 7.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. 

Before breaking his wrist in the first half of a game against Tennessee State, he was averaging 13 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 2.5 blocks per game.

N’Faly Dante who underwent surgery around the same time as Bittle returned to the court on Saturday. In his first game back, Dante had 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block in just 17 minutes of action.

Freshman Mookie Cook has also made a return to game time for the Ducks. Cook was coming off of an ankle injury and surgery over the summer.

Cook, a McDonald's All-American in high school, has since averaged 2 points and 1 rebound in his three game appearances.

The final injured Duck is Jesse Zarzuela. He is still ruled out for the remainder of the season following an ankle injury and surgery as well. Zarzuela is a senior transfer from Central Michigan’s program.

Thursday, Jan. 18, Oregon will play the Colorado Buffaloes on the road.

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