5 wings the Oregon Ducks should pursue in the transfer portal
Of all the positions for the Oregon Ducks to feel okay about looking ahead to the 2023-24 season, forward/wing is the top of the list.
Although it is not clear whether Quincy Guerrier or Rivaldo Soares will return next season, they will retain Jermaine Couisnard and of course add a pair of elite freshmen in Mookie Cook and KJ Evans.
Still, things can certainly change, and if either Guerrier or Soares were to hit the portal or pursue professional opportunities then Dana Altman might want to see what the portal has to offer on the wing.
Perhaps a transfer addition at that spot would be more of a depth option, a three point shooter or defensive stopper off the bench, but if Altman can get some of the big fish they could add an impact starter and push someone into a depth role – which is never a bad thing to have when trying to get back into the big dance.
Below are five options on the wing, who would each fit a different role, that Altman and his team should purse this transfer season:
Chris Ledlum - Harvard
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Ledlum is one of the hottest names in the portal, already securing an at-home visit at Indiana and getting attention from powerhouses like Gonzaga, Virginia, UCLA, Michigan, Michigan State, and Xavier.
Ledlum was among the best Ivy League players last year, averaging 18.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. Oregon might have a hard time selling him on a program adding two high-end forwards in Cook and Evans, but he’d instantly make this team significantly better on both ends of the floor.
Dalton Knecht - Northern Colorado
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Knecht exploded into an elite scorer for Northern Colorado last year, averaging 20.2 points per game to lead the Big Sky.
The former JuCo star is a late bloomer and a very high level player, which makes it hard to know if he’d come to Oregon unless he could play a featured role.
Would that happen with Cook and Evans in the mix? Probably not, but Knecht is a name to keep an eye on regardless.
Ike Cornish - Maryland
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The Ducks are among teams already showing interest in Cornish, a former four-star recruit who played sparingly at Maryland last season.
Cornish redshirted in 2021-22 and played in 21 games this past year, averaging 4.8 minutes and 1.4 points per game. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but with a lot of pedigree and good size for a guard it’s not hard to imagine a change of scenery paying off handsomely for Cornish next year, likely in a reserve role.
Lazar Stefanovic - Utah
Syndication: Arizona Republic
Stefanovic was an All Pac-12 Freshman team selection in 2021-22, and stepped into a big role off the bench for the Utes in year two – averaging 10.2 points and three rebounds per game while shooting 35.9% from deep and 86.8% from the free throw line.
Stefanovic is a lousy finisher around the rim, but as a sharp-shooter off the bench he could fill a valuable role for the Ducks, especially if they lose one or both of Quincy Guerrier and Rivaldo Soares.
Max Agbonkpolo - Wyoming
Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Agbonkpolo was part of a group of USC players who all transferred to Wyoming last year, and are now back in the portal after a disappointing season in Laramie.
Agbonkpolo can clearly play at the Pac-12 level, averaging 7.7 points and 3.5 rebounds for USC in 2021-22, but he didn’t impress in 16 games with the Cowboys last year – lowering his stock.
If Agbonkpolo is content coming back to the Pac-12 in a reserve role, he’d be a nice depth option for the Ducks and insurance in case the freshmen struggle early in the year.
