The Emerald Media Group Presents

Men & Women’s Preview | 2016-2017

DYLAN ENNIS RETURNS TO THE COURT FOR HIS SIXTH SEASON IN THE NCAA WITH ONE GOAL: TO TAKE THE DUCKS TO THE CHAMPIONSHIPS. 2 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 3 PLUMBING • ELECTRICAL TOOLS • HOUSEWARES PAINT • HARDWARE LAWN & GARDEN

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2 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 3 Contents Every Player Gets a Chance All 14 women star for the Ducks Pg 5

Oregon’s Most Versatile Player brings more than just a jumpshot Pg 6-7

Men and Women Recruits Preview of new 2016-17 season Ducks Pg 8-9

1939 “Tall Firs” Tall in height and high in talent Pg 10,15

Dylan Ennis’ Last Run His sixth collegiate season Pg 16-17

A Perfect Pair in the Making and Maite Cazorola Pg 18-19

Cal AAU team infusing Pac-12 Basketball stars from California Pg 22

Photos by Adam Ederhart, Aaron Nelson, Amanda 2016 Shigeoka, Kaylee Domzalski DuckSeason, the Emerald’s annual football maga- BRAEDON KWIECIEN VP OF SALES AND MARKETING: zine, is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the SPORTS EDITOR: KENNEY JACOBY LINDSEY SMITH X303 independent nonprofit news company at the University ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITORS: JONATHAN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES:GREG BUTLER, TAYLOR of Oregon. Formerly the Oregon Daily Emerald, the HAWTHORNE, JARRID DENNEY BRADBURY, CARSON BIERAUGEL, KYLE BESA news organization was founded in 1900. WRITERS: ALEXA CHADID, GUS RUBEN ESTRADA MORRIS, ZAK LASTER, RYAN KOSTEKA EMERALD MEDIA GROUP DESIGN 1222 E. 13TH AVE., #300, EUGENE, OR BUSINESS EMILY HARRIS 97403, 541.346.5511, DAILYEMERALD.COM PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER: KELLY KONDO CHARLIE WEAVER X317 NEWSROOM VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS: ON THE COVER DYLAN ENNIS WARMS UP BEFORE PLAYING EDITOR IN CHIEF: COOPER GREEN KATHY CARBONE X302 NCU ON NOV. 7 2016. PHOTO TAKEN BY ADAM ART DIRECTOR: RAQUEL ORTEGA EBERHART. PRINT MANAGING EDITOR: ADVERTISING 4 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 5 Oregon guard Lexi Bando. (Kaylee Domzalski)

Oregon forward Lydia Giomi. (Kaylee Domzalski) Oregon guard Morgan Yaeger. (Kaylee Domzalski)

When Oregon was set to play No. 24-ranked Michigan OREGON BASKETBALL State, it was expected that the Graves would show nine or 10 players, but the Ducks dominated the game to the GIVES EVERY PLAYER that all 14 players once again played. Following the 33-point win, the Ducks traveled to A CHANCE Honolulu, Hawaii to face No. 7 Mississippi State, which like the Michigan State game, was expected to be the first time BY SHAWN MEDOW Graves played fewer than 13 players. In every game for Oregon women’s basketball, the entire Instead, 14 players made cameos in Oregon’s first loss of eligible team has played. the season against the Ducks’ SEC opponents. At the start of the season, that number was 13, but with “Everyone’s contributing something different,” Lexi Bando freshman Sierra Campisano returning from injury in said after the win over Lamar. “It’s really fun, this team is the Ducks’ win over CSU Bakersfield, it became 14 total amazing and so much fun to play with.” players. It is highly unusual to see a team use its entire The success and competitiveness of Oregon while playing eligible squad, but Oregon might actually need to in order 14 players is rare. The Ducks’ depth is showing and it is not to establish chemistry with a freshmen class of seven a bad thing. “It kind of makes it disjointed a little bit,” Graves said. “It’s good because you know you can give it 110 percent “We’re going to have to tighten it up. and you’re gonna be tired in five minutes but you’re gonna Oregon was favorite to win in its first few games of have someone come in for you,” Megan Trinder said after nonconference play but that would soon change. Graves the Lamar win. was happy to play every player to keep the team fresh for Oregon might be able to keep its vast lineup intact, but the big games against then-ranked No.24 Michigan State it is only a matter of time until the Ducks will have to and 7th-ranked Mississippi State. start playing fewer people. For now, it is working well, “We’re trying to get as many kids as many minutes as and as Graves has suggested, it might not change until the possible,” Graves said following the win against UTSA. conclusion of nonconference play.

4 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 5 With the addition of a jumpshot, Jordan Bell has become one of Oregon’s more versatile players BY JARRID DENNEY

With nine minutes remaining in Jordan Bell. Oregon’s road matchup with Baylor Bell, a 6-foot-9 forward who runs on Nov. 15, Jordan Bell caught an like a guard and has one of the entry pass at the top of the key, quickest second jumps in college turned to face the basket and cooly basketball, became a breakout drained a contested 18-foot jumper. contributor for the Ducks during Earlier in the half, Bell caught a last year’s NCAA Tournament. pass on a fastbreak after an Oregon His offensive game consisted , took two dribbles and almost entirely of monstrous two- delivered a Euro step that caused handed dunks and putbacks off The No. 5 Oregon Ducks a backpedaling Baylor defender to missed shots. play the Army Black fall to the ground as Bell finished an Bell is one of the top shot-blockers Knights at Matthew Knight easy layup. Arena in Eugene, Ore. in the country — he broke Oregon’s on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016. These plays marked the evolution of school record in just his 50th (Adam Eberhardt) Portland Airport Transportation

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6 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 7 Oregon Ducks forward Jordan Bell (1) throws down an alley-oop. (Adam Eberhart) career game — and paired with his Bell’s offensive expansion couldn’t at the top of the key gave Bell the defensive gifts, his ability to clean have come at a better time for option to shoot or put the ball on up misses on the offensive end was the Ducks. the floor and beat an opposing big enough to make him an impact man one-on-one. He did both well at As seen in the game against Baylor, player last year. Over the summer, times against the Bears. Oregon doesn’t have a solid answer he added a jump shot to his game for matchup zone defenses at this When paired with Boucher, which that could make him one of the best point in the year. he will be often this year, Bell’s two-way threats in the Pac-12. offensive versatility means the Bell might not be the full answer, “The jumpers developed a lot — Ducks will boast two sharpshooting but he is part of the solution. just little tweaks and fixes, like power forwards who can play keeping my elbow in, keeping the “I’ve talked to him a little bit about interchangeably on the block, or ball up toward my face,” Bell said. becoming a better perimeter along the baseline on the weak side “Just little stuff like that. Coach defender,” Oregon head coach Dana of the defense. Mike Mennenga helped me out a Altman said. “We’re gonna need “With both of them, I can just run lot in the summer. Everyday in the that out of him. I think offensively in the lane and throw it behind my morning, just working out.” he can do some things from there. head and one of them will catch it But defensively, we’re gonna Bell was among the best shooters in and dunk it,” Oregon guard Dylan need him to get better and guard the gym by the time August rolled Ennis said. smaller guys.” around. He beat almost everybody Whatever role the Ducks unleash on Oregon’s roster at one point or When they struggled to shoot Bell in this year, expect to see his another, including sophomore guard against Baylor, the Ducks would offensive game blossom as the , who shot 40.6 percent run their offense through Bell at season goes on and the Ducks have from 3-point range last season. times — something that seemed more options available. unimaginable last year. An entry pass

6 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 7 New Men’s Basketball Recruits By Gus Morris Oregon welcomed five new players junior year, Pritchard decommitted in nation-high 211 blocks and collected to its roster for the 2016-17 season. July of 2015. A little over a month later he five triple-doubles in points, rebounds Before the additions of transfers Paul committed to Oregon. Pritchard already and blocks that season. The Pronghorns White and Kavel Bigby-Williams, Oregon created a legacy for himself during his went 35-2 and finished third at the junior boasted the 30th ranked recruiting prep days at West Linn, winning four college national tourna- class in the nation according to ESPN. consecutive state titles for the Lions. He ment. Recruiting sites Scout and 247sports.com ranked as the 54th-best player in ESPN’s Keith Smith; Forward, 6’7”, rated head coach Dana Altman’s haul as top 100 as well as the 13th-best guard in Seattle, Washington the 10th- and 12th-best freshman class, the nation. He averaged 23.6 points, 5.1 The three-star recruit started his prep respectively. rebounds, 6.8 assists and 3.1 steals per career at Franklin High School before Here’s a rundown of all the newcom- game his senior year. He was named the transferring to Rainier Beach for his ju- ers: 2014 Class 6A boys basketball Player of nior and senior years. He battled injuries Payton Pritchard; Guard, the Year as a sophomore. His junior year, for much of his high school career but 6’2”, West Linn, Oregon he was the 2014-15 Gatorade Oregon proved his worth the few games he was Coming out of high Player of the Year. healthy. Smith only played 10 games his school, Pritchard was Kavell Bigby-Williams; For- junior year but averaged 18.5 points in the top recruit in the ward/, 6’11”, London, those games. Limited to 13 games as a se- state of Oregon. England nior, he scored 15.3 and After verbally For the second-straight year, Altman helped Rainier Beach to its third-straight committing landed the reigning Spalding NJCAA 3A State Championship. to Okla- Division I Player of the Year. Bigby- Michael Cage Jr; Forward/Cen- homa Williams spent his past two seasons at ter, 6’10”, Santa Ana, California his Gillette College in Wyoming, where he Cage, son of former NBA player Mi- put together an impressive resume. He chael Cage, spent his prep career at one averaged 10.1 points and 9.6 rebounds of the premier high schools in the coun- per game his freshman year en route to try, Mater Dei. He averaged 14.9 points, third-team All-Region honors. He im- 10.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game proved dramatically in his second as a sophomore and played alongside season, tallying 16.8 points, 13.6 future NBA lottery pick Stanley Johnson. rebounds and 5.6 blocks He helped lead the Monarchs to both a per game and earning California state title and national title in NJCAA first-team all- 2013-2014 and was co-MVP of the Trinity America honors. League as a senior. The London- Paul White; Forward, 6’9”, native also Chicago, Illinois recorded He played his first two collegiate a seasons at Georgetown and averaged 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game as a freshman, appearing in all 33 games for the Hoyas that year. He suffered an abdominal injury that caused him to miss all but seven games his sophomore season. A top-50 recruit in the nation as a senior at Whitney Young High School, he averaged 22 points, 9 rebounds, 6 Oregon Ducks guard assists and 4 steals Payton Pritchard (3) in his final looks to pass the ball year in high while being guarded by Valparaiso Crusaders school. guard Tevonn Walker (2). (Kaylee Domzalski)

8 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 9 New Women’s Basketball Recruits By Zak Laster Oregon women’s basketball’s seven new freshmen are set to compete for playing time. Third-year head coach Kelly Graves and his staff assembled a 2016 recruiting class ranked No. 3 in the nation accord- ing to espnW’s recruiting rankings. The Woods Ducks were picked to finish seventh in averaged the Pac-12. 12.3 points, “I think all the freshmen are real six rebounds and talented, so we really don’t know who’s six assists during her going to step up yet,” sophomore guard senior year at Windward Maite Cazorla said at Pac-12 media day. High School (). Here’s a look at each new player on Her senior year, MaxPreps the team: named her the second team all- state. In her time at Oregon, she has Sabrina Ionescu, Guard, 5’10”, shown an ability to get to the rim and Walnut Creek, California Ionescu is the highest-ranked recruit dish to the open shooter for assists. She can also consistently knock down open ever to sign with Oregon. Ranked as the Oregon Ducks forward shots as shown by her 3-of-5 shooting No. 4 high school player in the nation, (24) Ionescu was named the USA Today and performance in the season-opening vic- steals the ball from CSU times Bakersfield Roadrunners MaxPreps national player of the year. tory against Lamar. Lydia Giomi, Forward, 6’6”, during guard Erika Williams Through the Ducks’ first three games, her senior (15). (Aaron Nelson) she’s been an offensive leader. Her best Seattle, Washington A two-time Metro League MVP for season at game to date came against Texas-San Torrey Pines Antonio (26 points and eight rebounds). West Seattle High School, Giomi aver- aged a double-double of 15.2 points and High School, she Ruthy Hebard, Forward, 6’4”, 12.8 rebounds. She was a member of the scored over 40 points Fairbanks, Alaska Tree of Hope Nike EYBL team that took and 30 times she put up Hebard was ranked the No. 40 a double-double. So far at Or- recruit in the nation. At Fairbanks High second at the 2015 national champion- ship. Since arriving at Oregon she has egon, Campisano has shown an School, she averaged 25.9 points, 15.1 ability to finish shots at the rim by rebounds and 2.9 steals as a senior. She seen limited minutes but has made the most of her opportunities, getting to the utilizing a good mix of post moves. was named Alaska Gatorade State Player Against CSU Bakersfield, she scored 12 of the Year three times during her high rim and being disruptive on defense. Mallory McGwire, Forward, points in her Division I debut. school career. Her first start came in the “I think [this] will be the best young third game of the season, against UTSA. 6’5”, Reno, Nevada Twice was named Gatorade Nevada core of post players in the country,” She finished the game with 5 points Graves said. “I just don’t see anybody and 7 rebounds. Player of the Year, McGwire averaged a double-double of 15.4 points and 10.9 having four freshmen as talented and Morgan Yaeger, Guard, 5’9”, rebounds to go along with 3.9 blocked capable as the ones we have this year.” Adelaide, Australia shots a game during her senior year. At Only time will tell if these recruits Yeager played on the Australian U17 find success in an Oregon uniform, but at team that placed fifth in the 2014 World Oregon, her ability to provide quality minutes off the bench, blocking shots the very least a youth movement is build- Championships. espnW ranked her the ing for Graves and the Ducks. No. 92 overall recruit in the 2016 class. In and consistently putting up quality defen- sive performances could be beneficial to “We have a lot of really talented her regular season debut for the Ducks, young pieces, a team that I think really she scored five points in 10 minutes for the team’s success in the long run. Sierra Campisano, Forward, gets along well and I think a team with a the Ducks in their victory over Lamar. really bright future,” Graves said at Pac-12 Jayde Woods, Guard, 6’1”, Los 6’3”, San Diego, California As the No. 14 prospect in 2016, four media day. Angeles, California 8 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 9 Ducks hope to Now enjoy flying follow in the on larger planes with footsteps of the mainline service to 1939 ‘Tall Firs’ SFO and DEN. BY JACK BUTLER The year was 1939 and Oregon just finished revolutionizing basketball. The “Tall Firs” became NCAA Champions when they beat Ohio State 46-33 in the inaugural NCAA Tournament. They were nicknamed the “Tall Firs” because they held a height advantage over most teams. Slim Wintermute, the tallest player, stood at 6-foot-8. Cont. on page 15

Roman Sorkin (41) shoots the ball against the Army Black Knights on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016. (Adam Eberhardt)

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14 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 15 Kavell Bigby-Williams (35) dives the ball in the in an exhibition game against Northwest Christian University Beacons. (Adam Eberhardt)

Seventy-seven years later, the with a concussion. Bigby-Williams, 6’11”, is the average height of Oregon’s men’s reigning Junior College Player of Boucher finished first in blocks in basketball team is again 6’8”, but the Year. He averaged 5.6 blocks the Pac-12 last season. He ended the “Tall Firs” of 2016 will swat any per game while playing at Gillette the year with 110 blocks, 22 more shot that comes their way as they in Wyoming. than second place. Bell was not far anchor the defense. behind in fourth place. The Ducks still see room for Five Oregon players stand taller development on defense with Having multiple, athletic shot than 6’8”: Jordan Bell, MJ Cage, some of the best shot blocking blockers benefits a defense in Chris Boucher, Roman Sorkin and in the nation; they rank second almost every way. Opposing Kavell Bigby-Williams; All of them in the Pac-12 in blocks through players can be reluctant to drive to are long and athletic, and they all three games. the basket, and if a shot is blocked, have shot blocking ability. it can lead to an Oregon fast-break. “Offense is always going to come “Well, it is going to be a big part Perimeter defenders are more because we have such good of our defense,” head coach Dana likely to reach for steals or pressure scorers on the team,” Sorkin said. Altman said. “We’ve got four opposing guards. “We’re going to pick up the guys who can change shots and defense, and that’s when we are “It definitely does let us be more block shots.” going to be really good.” aggressive,” sophomore guard Tyler Boucher and Bell have started Dorsey said. “Pressure is going to The big men protecting the for Oregon through three games be key for us at the guard position rim may lead this team to a title while Sorkin and Bigby-Williams because we have lots of rim that only the “Tall Firs” of 1939 have seen significant playing protectors down low.” could do. time off the bench. Cage is out

14 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 15 Oregon Ducks guard Dylan Ennis (31) gets past Army Black Knights forward Kennedy Edwards (10) as he drives towards the hoop. (Adam Eberhardt) ONE LAST RUN FOR DYLAN ENNIS BY GUS MORRIS

On June 30, Lake Forest Academy head basketball coach According to his brother, Tyler, who is currently playing Matt Vaughn received a text from one of his former players. for the , Dylan was around 5-foot-2 heading into his sophomore year. Despite his size, he still The text, sent to Vaughn and two of his assistants, was commanded respect and was considered a leader on and from Dylan Ennis, a standout at LFA who graduated in off the court. 2011. Ennis was letting them know he had officially been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and would Ennis’ growth spurt would come the following year. be suiting up for Oregon in the 2016-2017 season. But standing a foot shorter than everyone else seemed to give him his drive and competitiveness that he still Vaughn, who coached Ennis his junior and senior years of possesses today. high school, said he was happy for him, but reminded him he had one last goal to accomplish. “He was one of the guys you always knew had a chip on his shoulder,” said. “You see that now when you “Got to cut down the nets,” Vaughn said, alluding to the watch him play, just how fiery he is: diving on the floor, tradition of teams cutting the nets off the baskets after diving across the scorers table, stuff like that. He took that winning the national championship game. “That’s what I — being shorter, being a smaller guy — to a whole new keep telling him. That’s your goal; that’s why you wanted level by taking it into every aspect of life.” to stay.” When Ennis arrived at LFA in the Fall of 2009, Vaughn A little more than three months removed from watching knew he had skill but said he didn’t stand out on the court. his former team, Villanova, win a national championship, He had yet to develop athletically. Ennis was now set to return to an Oregon team that was reloading for a national title run of its own. In his sixth and Around the time he arrived at LFA, Ennis fell in love with final collegiate season, he will have a legitimate shot to the weight room. His offseason work during the summer help lead Oregon to its first national title since 1939. of his junior year laid the foundation for the way he now plays the game. Vaughn said he became more athletic, He’s come a long way to get there. Ennis spent the first developed more range and lift on his jumpshot and two years of his prep career at Wings Academy in Brooklyn, became difficult to guard. New York before transferring to LFA. He was a much different player back then. Ennis averaged 23 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and

16 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 17 1 block his senior year. He was considered a top-30 guard “I couldn’t play last year and I was just praying to come in the nation by ESPN and he had his eye on several mid- back and play with these guys another year,” Ennis said. major schools before choosing Rice in Houston, Texas. Nov. 7 marked Ennis’s return to the court. Even though it Even though he only spent two years at LFA, Ennis left a was only an exhibition game against Northwest Christian, lasting impression. Ennis showcased the versatility he brings to the team. He recorded 11 points, three rebounds and five assists. “He was just a leader,” Vaughn said. “He had that charisma. ... He made a big impression quickly and by the time he As of Nov. 17, Ennis averaged 9.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and was gone, it was like, ‘Wow.’ It had felt like he had been 3.2 assists in 31 minutes per game. A little rust is expected here a lot longer than two years.” after being away from the sport for over a year. Altman said he has “a ways to go” to being back where he needs to be. Ennis spent one season at Rice but averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game and was named to If Ennis does return to full form, he’ll help his team in a Conference USA All-Freshman Team. The Owls went 19-16 number of ways: that season. “He brings a lot of energy, and he’s a bigger guard so it Suddenly he began getting looks from some high-major helps us because he can get to the rim and he brings a schools and decided to transfer to Villanova. But due to different aspect on defense,” Boucher said after playing NCAA transfer rules, Ennis had to sit out the 2012-13 NCU. “He’s a little longer, a little bigger, so season, in which the Wildcats went 20-14 and made the he can guard multiple positions. It really second round of the NCAA Tournament. helps us.” In his two years at Villanova, Ennis was a key piece off the Both Tyler and Vaughn said they’re going bench. He averaged 7.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists to watch every Oregon game they can. in 66 total games for the Wildcats and helped them make “He’s faced a lot of challenges in life,” two separate runs in the NCAA Tournament. Vaughn said. “I’m proud of him at the But Villanova’s emergence as a national powerhouse made fact that he’s been able to face these it a destination for top recruits. When five-star guard Jalen different kinds of challenges, different Brunson committed to Nova in September of 2014, Ennis places, different coaches.“It’s not easy.” sensed his playing time would suffer. Neither will winning a national Once again, he looked to transfer. He found his next championship, but Ennis is destination about 3,000 miles away — in Eugene, where ready to give it one more shot. Oregon head coach Dana Altman was building a west “It’s not easy.” coast powerhouse. Neither will winning a This time, Ennis played immediately. He spent his summer national championship, but working out with the team and quickly established Ennis is ready to give it one himself as one of Oregon’s best players in the fall. But more shot. Ennis injured his foot during fall and re-aggravated the injury later, causing him to miss the remainder of what he thought was his final collegiate season. Ennis is not one to give up easily. He decided to petition the NCAA to allow him to play for one final season. After all, he had only logged 21 minutes that year. On June 30, Ennis got the news he had been waiting months for: He was coming back. He wasn’t the only one either. Forward Chris Boucher had recently been cleared by the NCAA to return to Oregon, despite being declared a senior the year before due to the circumstances of his high school graduation. Forward and guard Tyler Dorsey were also coming back after withdrawing from the NBA Draft. Photo by Kaylee Domzalski.

16 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 17 Sabrina Ionescu and Maite Cazorla: A perfect pair in the making

BY SHAWN MEDOW

Maite Cazorla and Sabrina Ionescu playing with her and I think she the tempo of the game on the court. could form one of the deadliest likes playing with me.” partnerships in women’s basketball “I think she’s really competitive,” during their three years together. Ionescu went 3-of-12 from 3-point Cazorla said. “She wants to do great range in her first game for Oregon, things and she wants the team With seven incoming freshmen, but coaches and players said her to do great things. She’s a great Cazorla, a sophomore, has had to performance doesn’t foreshadow passer, she’s a scorer — she can step into the role of a veteran player. her potential. Cazorla is confident do everything.” Ionescu, who was ranked fourth about her newest teammate in her class nationally, joined the succeeding in in the Pac-12. Following Oregon’s win over Lamar, backcourt this year. Now the two Ionescu appeared frustrated by her skilled guards are learning to play “She’s incredible,” Cazorla said of shooting off-night. Redshirt junior together on the court at Matthew Ionescu. “I love playing with her. Megan Trinder knew the Ionescu, Knight Arena. She’s just really good offensively. was not going to simply brush off She’s also smart on defense. She’s her performance. “It’s really nice playing with a really good player. I’m really sure a similar person with similar she will [gain national attention].” “She’ll probably be in the gym after with similar basketball IQ and this putting up threes,” Trinder said. characteristics,” Ionescu said. “I like Ionescu’s capabilities range from shooting to passing to controlling For head coach Kelly Graves,

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18 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 19 Oregon guard Maite Cazorla (5) tries to steal the ball from NCU guard Katerina Brejchova (14).

(Kaylee Domzalski)

playing two similar guards in at a couple players who could be go off a screen,” Ionescu said. “We Cazorla and Ionescu gives Oregon among the best backcourts in the see each other move the ball well. It plenty of options for not just this country. They’re just really young also relieves pressure for just having season but seasons to come. right now.” one person bring it up the court or not being able to give it to another “[They are] two players with Cazorla and Ionescu could very well guard as well.” elite vision,” Graves said. “They form a dangerous duo in Oregon’s can really set a play up. They backcourt. It will be important that Last season, Graves called UCLA’s understand the game, they can both the two form a relationship together Nirra Fields and Jordin Canada play pick-and-roll basketball. When on the court in which each of them “the best 1-2 combination in the they’re playing together, it’s going to can play at their best. country.” With Fields graduated and be fun to watch. the conference evolving, Graves “Either one of us can take the ball may soon have a backcourt of his “I think in some time you’re looking up the court. Either one of us can own worthy of national recognition. Call Today! Call Call Today! Call Call Today! Call Call Today! Call Simply Hubmazin g SiSimmplyply Hubmazin Hubmazin g g Go Ducks!Simply Hubmazin g GoGo Ducks! Ducks!Student HousingGo Ducks! Just Got Bigger...and Better! Student Housing JustStudent Got Bigger Housing...and Just Better! Got Bigger...and Better! HubOnCampus.comStudent Housing Just Got Bigger...and Better! HubOnCampus.comHubOnCampus.com HubOnCampus.com Huge Rooftop Expansive Club

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Cable & WiFi Studio, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Bedrooms Fully Furnished w/ TV with Free HBO / Dryer in Unit Washer All-Inclusive Living HubOnCampus.com Pac-12 teams and players who could upset the Ducks’ season BY RYAN KOSTECKA

Entering the 2016-17 college basketball season, Oregon is widely seen as the new face of the Pac-12. Returning four of its five starters from last year’s Elite Eight team, it’s no shock that the Ducks entered the season ranked No. 5 in the nation. With Oregon on top and the rest of the Pac-12 attempting to close the gap, here are the teams and players who could deter the Ducks from their dream season. PLAYERS

Markelle Fultz, G, Washington If Fultz played for a better team, he could potentially be Photo by Michael Shaw the Pac-12 player of the year. He is a do-everything type of and is expected to be a lottery pick in the

Photo by Michael Shaw NBA draft next year. In his first game against a talented Yale MORE squad, Fultz dropped 30 points with seven rebounds and six assists. He is a nightmare to defend because he’s big for COVERAGE, a point guard (6-foot-4), but quick enough to go around any MORE defender. With him on the court, the Huskies always have COVERAGE,MORE a chance. PHOTOS, , F, California MORE Rabb is a preseason all-American and for good reason. He passed up a first-round draft pick last year to return to the Golden Bears. He’s 6-foot-11 with the skill set of a point PHOTOS,MORE guard and averaged 12.5 points and 8.6 rebounds last year. Because of his all around game, expect Cal to run its offense through him. He’s also a smart player, willingly finding the DISCOVERY.MORE open man when double-teamed. Rabb might not put up insane numbers, but he will be the reason Cal wins. PlusDISCOVERY. reader polls, videos, and reader comments. , F, Arizona We give you more, and that makes Markkanen, from Finland, is a seven-footer who can shoot college better. from anywhere on the floor, dribble like a guard and post up Plus reader polls, videos, and reader comments. like a big man. He’s a true threat to Oregon’s Dillon Brooks Wewww.dailyemerald.com give you more, and that makes for Pac-12 player of the year because of his versatility. With college better. Trier out for the foreseeable future, the Wildcats will go as far as Markannen takes them. www.dailyemerald.com Honorable Mentions: , Utah; , UCLA; Tra Holder, Arizona State; Josh Hawkinson, Washington State

20 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 21 TEAMS

Arizona

The Wildcats appeared to be the most logical choice to defeat the Ducks at the beginning of the season. But after a string of bad luck, Arizona is now seen as a dark horse. With Ray Smith retiring and Allonzo Trier’s status unknown, the Wildcats are left with a thin roster. But, they return do-it-all 7-footer Lauri Markkanen. If Trier can return and freshman Kobi Simmons steps up, Arizona will be in the hunt until the end.

California The Golden Bears have one bonafide superstar in Ivan Rabb. In order to contend for the Pac-12 title, it will be Rabb’s teammates who push Cal over the hump. is a proven veteran who’s averaged double-digit points the past two years. Freshman Charlie Moore is an attack-first guard who will take some of the scoring pressure off Rabb. Cal is good, but it will take being great to remain atop the Pac-12 hierarchy.

UCLA Consistently stocked with talent, the Bruins have struggled to live up to preseason hype year in and year out. With the addition of freshman superstar Lonzo Ball, UCLA has a pass-first point guard. The Bruins have one of the best starting fives in the conference with Ball, , , Thomas Welsh and T.J. Leaf. Still, UCLA will need some added depth in order to really challenge the Ducks.

20 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 21 Cal stars AAU team infusing Pac-12 rosters BY JONATHAN HAWTHORNE Before donning Oregon green and yellow, Mallory McGwire and Sabrina Ionescu had a close friendship from their time crisscrossing the country for the Cal Stars AAU club team. They grew even closer when McGwire — a Reno, Nevada, native — practiced in the Bay Area with the team. She’d often stay with Ionescu or at Cal Stars coach Kelly Sopak’s house. The two Oregon Ducks — along with Oregon State’s Kat Tudor, USC’s Valerie Higgins and Minyon Moore and Washington’s Aarion McDonald — have infused the Pac-12 with freshman talent. “The league [Pac-12] is so good that it’s hard for kids to justify going away when you can stay relatively close to home,” Sopak said. “And get the competition and national notoriety that they need.” On elite travel teams, talent levels mean players can grow their confidence and skills. Though Cal Stars practices were a four-hour drive for McGwire, the opportunity meant more than exposure and development. In McGwire and Ionescu, Oregon head coach Kelly Graves said Oregon signed “two of the best stars.” “It’s one of the premier programs in the country,” Graves said of the club team. “Premier programs become so because they have talent. It’s nice to see a lot of that talent on the West Coast stay in the Pac-12.” McGwire and Ionescu play different positions on the court, but channel the same competitive drive to win, Sopak said. “[McGwire] has a hidden fire in her that you don’t really detect right away,” Sopak said. “She just hides it a little bit more than [Ionescu] does. With [Ionescu], you’re going to find out how competitive she is right away.” McGwire said she’s looking forward to seeing former teammates at Pac-12 games this year. But in the meantime, she’s cherishing her connection with Ionescu. “Playing with Sabrina for the last two years has really boosted my Oregon forward Sabrina confidence,” she said. “She made Ionescu dribbles the ball dur- me a better player. I love playing ing the Nov. 18 game aganist with her.” CSC Bakersfield. (Aaron Nelson) 22 | EMG Magazine EMG Magazine | 23 STILL LOOKING? WE CAN HELP YOU!

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