Nate Bittle Gets Real Following Final Game of Oregon Career

If it has ended, Bittle finishes his Oregon career averaging 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. This past season, despite Bittle missing time with a foot injury, the Oregon center averaged 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in the 25 games he played for the Ducks. 

Nate Bittle Speaks About Oregon Ducks Career

In Oregon’s first-round Big Ten Tournament loss to Maryland, Bittle scored 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one block, shooting 7-of-15 from the field. During a season that featured Bittle surpassing 1,000 career points with the Ducks, he reflected on his college tenure following Oregon’s loss to Maryland. 

"Just how blessed I’ve been to have been part of this program for five years,” Bittle said. “I came in as a freshman, had to work my way into the lineup and everything. I built a great relationship with this guy here (Kwame Evans Jr.). Teammates I’ve had throughout the process, whether my freshman year all the way till now, has been a blessing. Nothing I’ll ever take for granted. I’m thankful to be part of this program.”

Throughout Bittle’s final season, he wasn’t the only player who underwent serious injuries that had a massive impact on the Ducks' struggles. Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad, center Ege Demir, and forward Devon Pryor all suffered season-ending injuries this year for the Ducks.

How Bittle's Leadership Impacted Kwame Evans Jr.

One of the players who had stepped up this season, while Oregon dealt major injury blows, was guard Kwame Evans Jr. In his third season with the Ducks, Evans finished the season with 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, as one of Oregon’s top scorers. Following the loss to Maryland, Evans also spoke on the impact that Bittle has had on Oregon’s basketball program. 

“I’m grateful for it,” Evans said. “I’ve been with this guy (Bittle) since I’ve been here, and he’s been leading us. Watching him every day coming in, even if he’s been hurt, to see him leading by example, it was great to be with him one last time and just really grateful for it.” 

With Bittle set to depart from Eugene, Oregon, a pivotal offseason begins centered on the future of the Ducks basketball program. While coach Dana Altman has said he had no plans of retiring after this season, there will be several discussions moving forward about the direction of the Ducks basketball program.