Dana Altman provides update on N’Faly Dante injury, others

Oregon hoops began the year with a pair of decent wins over Georgia and Montana. However, they’re already riddled with minor injuries, which Dana Altman discussed after team practice this week.

Of course, the most important status to update was that of big man N’Faly Dante, the leading scorer and rebounder on the 2023 team. He poured in 16 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in his only game so far this season but had to miss the Montana game thanks to what Altman called some knee soreness.

“Dante had an appointment, so I’ll see what the trainers say and see what — they were checking on some things to see how his knee was progressing,” said Altman when pressed about his senior big man.

He then made clear that Dante is not suffering from any major damage to the knee. Again, just some soreness.

“It’s just soreness in his knee. There is nothing structural going on. You know, I’m not sure exactly. He does have uh some soreness and a little swelling. So again, he was just in today and I don’t know. He just came in late in practice there so I don’t know what he has to say.”

He’s not the only Oregon player injured, either. Sixth-year transfer guard Jesse Zarzuela also had to miss the Montana game after he had logged 30 minutes as a starter in the season-opener. Luckily, Coach Altman expects him back in the very near future.

“Jesse worked out today, Jesse practiced today. So anticipate him to be ready because of the quick turnaround there after.”

Altman was then asked about freshman point guard and top-40 recruit Jackson Shelstad and whether he’ll travel to the team’s game in Florida against Santa Clara the day after Thanksgiving even though he’ll still be sidelined with a knee injury.

“Oh yeah,” answered Altman. “You know, there’s something to be learned watching your team play, so yeah, he’ll have Thanksgiving dinner with us. I guess we’re eating on Wednesday down there, but no, he’ll go with the team, Mookie (Cook) will go with the team, those guys, just like they did to to Vegas.”

So, the full roster will make the cross-country trip from way up in Eugene, OR down to the furthest state away from them in the continental United States, Florida, to face a Santa Clara team that will be traveling down there from nearby California.