A dozen options to replace Devan Cambridge on Ducks’ roster for Dana Altman
Over the weekend, the rather surprising news came that former Arizona State Sun Devils guard Devan Cambridge, who had committed to transfer to the Oregon Ducks, was instead transferring to Texas Tech for the 2023-24 season.
While Cambridge had pledged to play in Eugene, no paperwork had been signed, enabling him to change his decision.
Losing Cambridge is a hit to Altman’s roster, but it shouldn’t be a death blow. The Ducks have done a good job of remaking the roster this with a trio of blue-chip recruits and a long list of highly talented transfers. Here is what the roster construction currently looks like:
G Jermaine Couisnard
G Keeshawn Barthelemy
G Kario Oquendo
F Nate Bittle
C N’Faly Dante
F Kwame Evans
G Jackson Shelstad
G Mookie Cook
G Jadrian Tracey
G Jesse Zarzuela
G Brennan Rigsby
As you can see, that is an incredibly guard-heavy lineup with very few forwards or centers and a scant size. While on the surface, replacing Cambridge’s spot on the roster would be done by adding another guard to take his place, I think that the open roster spot actually gives Altman some flexibility here, and offers an opportunity to get another forward or center on the roster. There are also some great guards still in the portal, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see Oregon go that route again as well.
After taking a look at players still available in the transfer portal, here are potential options the Ducks may look at:
Jahvon Quinerly — Alabama
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Guard
Career Stats: 123 Games | 10.0 PPG // 2.0 REB // 3.1 AST
Analysis: Jahvon Quinerly is the most recent addition to the transfer portal, and his entrance comes as a surprise. Quinerly shot 42% FG and 33% 3FG in three seasons with Alabama. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Grant Nelson — North Dakota State
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Forward
Career Stats: 86 Games | 12.1 PPG // 6.0 REB // 1.3 AST
Analysis: This may be the longest shot on the list. Grant Nelson is among the top players in the portal this year, and he’s reportedly deciding between Arkansas and Alabama. Rumors say Alabama is the destination. Can Dana Altman swoop in at the last second, though? It’s worth a shot, though highly unlikely.
Zid Powell — Buffalo
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Position: Guard
Career Stats: 28 Games | 13.0 PPG // 4.1 REB // 2.7 AST
Analysis: Powell had solid scoring numbers at Buffalo in his one season on the court, but what he lacks — three-point shooting (17.6%) — is precisely what the Ducks need most.
Kenny Pohto — Wichita State
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Position: Forward
Career Stats: 59 Games | 7.1 PPG // 4.3 REB // 1.2 AST
Analysis: I really like what Pohto could bring to an Oregon roster. He is an experienced big-man (6-foot-11, 240 pounds) who could provide depth and offer relief for N’Faly Dante and Nate Bittle. He has shot just shy of 50% in two seasons at Wichita State, and had a big increase in 3FG% after his freshman season.
Adrame Diongue — Washington State Cougars
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Center
Career Stats: 23 Games | 1.3 PPG // 1.8 REB // 0.2 AST
Analysis: The stats don’t show it from 2023, but Diongue was a highly-rated prospect coming out of high school, ranked as the No. 117 player in the nation. Altman could try to add a body to his frontcourt rotation and hope that Dionge blossoms down the road.
Ahamad Bynum — DePaul
Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Guard
Career Stats: 11 Games | 3.8 PPG // 1.4 REB // 0.5 AST
Analysis: Another player who may not have the college accolades, but at least showed a lot of promise at the high school level, rated as the No. 110 player in the 2021 class. It feels rather unlikely Altman will add another inexperienced guard to the roster, though.
Robert Jennings — Texas Tech
Position: Forward
Career Stats: 30 Games | 2.7 PPG // 1.9 REB // 0.1 AST
Analysis: If Cambridge leaves for Texas Tech, might a Texas Tech player go to Oregon? Robert Jennings is a decent player but has a lot of improving to do in order to find a meaningful spot in the rotation.
Mac Etienne — UCLA
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Center
Career Stats: 45 Games | 1.6 PPG // 2.2 REB // 0.2 AST
Analysis: As a former high-end four-star player ranked No. 49 overall in the 2020 class, Etienne has struggled to find a huge role with the UCLA Bruins. Could he look for a second chance at another Pac-12 program? Dana Altman has seen up close how Etienne can play, so might he take a chance and add the depth?
Jackson Grant — Washington
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Position: Center
Career Stats: 39 Games | 0.9 PPG // 1.5 REB // 0.1 AST
Analysis: Again, this is a pure depth addition that would be meant to eat up front-court minutes when Dante or Bittle need a breather. Grant was a former four-star player (No. 78 overall) in 2021 from Olympia, and he could be looking for a fresh start on a new roster in the northwest.
Demarr Langford — Boston College
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Position: Guard
Career Stats: 73 Games | 8.8 PPG // 4.0 REB // 1.9 AST
Analysis: If you’re looking for an experienced guard to add to the roster who can score at a decent clip, then Langford might be a solid option. His 3FG% (26.3%) definitely needs to improve, but he could be a good depth addition.
