By: Jack McArthur

Oregon women’s basketball are approaching their 2022-23 season. The Ducks are ranked 20th nationally according to the AP top 25 preseason poll. Here's a season preview of the Ducks before they start their season this Monday November 7th against Northwestern at 3 PM. This offseason, the Ducks had multiple players transfer out and leave. Those key players are Nyara Sabally, Maddie Scherr, Sydney Parrish, and Kylee Watson. Nyara Sabally is in the WNBA now playing for the New York Liberty. Scherr transferred to Kentucky, Parrish transferred to Indiana, and Watson transferred to Notre Dame. After these Ducks transferred, Oregon definitely lost some depth. Scherr is a solid ball handler and shooter, Parrish is a knock down shooter, and 6’4 forward Kylee Watson left Oregon with less height once she left. Maddie Scherr averaged 3.7 points and 3.3 assists for Oregon in 31 games played last season. Sydney Parrish averaged 8.5 PPG in 32 games played for the Ducks last season, while shooting 35 percent from three. The other Duck that transferred out, Kylee Watson, averaged 3.8 PPG in 32 appearances for the Ducks, while shooting 54.8% from the field.

Additionally, forward Sedona Prince will not be playing for Oregon this season, as she recently announced that she plans to undergo season-ending elbow surgery. Prince averaged 9.3 points per game in 30 games last season for the Ducks last season- she was a team leader for Oregon. Despite these negatives, Oregon will still have a solid team this season. Sedona Prince not being on the roster for the Ducks anymore isn’t as big of an issue as some fans may perceive, as 6’ 7 forward Kennedy Basham and 6' 8 center Philipina Kyei will be able to carry the load in the frontcourt. Oregon has a lot of depth this season, especially at the guard position. 5’7 senior guard Endiya Rogers and 5’9 junior Te-Hina Paopao will lead the way for the Ducks this year. Rogers averaged 14.3 points a game last season, to go along with her 3.1 assists per game average in 23 appearances for the Ducks last season, shooting 40% from the field. Paopao averaged 13.6 Points per game, 3.3 assists per game, while shooting 38% from the field in 23 games played for the Ducks last season. Fifth year guard Alise Hurst will also provide some veteran leadership for the Ducks, as she is one of their best guards. Hurst averaged 6.2 points per game last season, usually coming off the bench for Oregon, while shooting an impressive 38% from three.

Oregon has four freshmen on their squad this year: 6’7 forward Kennedy Basham, 5’9 guard Chance Gray, 5’11 guard Jennah Isai, and 6’3 forward Grace VanSlooten. This season, the Ducks only have 10 women on their roster,  which is three less than Oregon’s 13 players that they rostered last season. Kelly Graves is returning for his ninth consecutive season as Oregon head women’s basketball coach. I expect Oregon to have an exceptional season, as they have a solid mixture of new and returning talented players that are eager to win. Oregon will tip-off their 2022-23 campaign with a home game against Northwestern this Monday November 7th at 3:00 PM Pacific.