Forward Kwame Evans Jr. will return to the Oregon Ducks basketball team for his second season in 2024-25. Evans Jr., the fourth-highest recruit in Oregon history, announced his decision for “Round 2” in Eugene on social media.
As a freshman, Evans played in all 36 games and started 29. His obvious talent was on display in the first conference game against USC, where he scored a season-high 22 points.
More good news regarding Oregon State basketball…
Oregon State is requesting an additional year of eligibility for Ducks star center N'falee Dante, according to James Crepea of The Oregonian. The waiver request is for the 2020-21 season, when Dante suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and appeared in six games for coach Dana Altman's Duck basketball team.
Altman praised Dante and fellow senior Jermaine Quinard for their ability to overcome adversity throughout last season.
“They're just great guys. They're easy to work with. They listen. They try to do what I ask them to do…” Altman said during the Ducks' NCAA Tournament run. “They carried us. I just tried to stay out of the way…as good as the all-time great leaders, Peyton Pritchard and Eugene Omoruyi. Nolan Brooks. They are as good as any leader we have ever had.”
Dante's return will be a huge boost for the Duck basketball team in the 2024-25 season. Dante, who was named the Pac-12 Tournament Most Valuable Player, led Oregon State to the Round of 32 in his NCAA Tournament. Last season, he led the Pac-12 Conference in field goals percentage (.695 FG%) and ranked second in blocks (1.9). ), third in steals (1.7) and fourth in rebounds (9.2).
Veteran Dante and rising star Evans Jr. will be a formidable duo in the Ducks' first year in the Big Ten Conference.