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Dana Altman provides optimistic injury update on Oregon center Nate Bittle

Jarrid Denneyby:Jarrid Denney•12/30/23•

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© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Just eight days ago, Dana Altman was unsure if Oregon center Nate Bittle would play again this season.

Following Saturday’s win over UCLA, though, Altman offered a much more optimistic outlook on the Ducks’ standout junior.

While speaking with reporters after the game, Altman was asked about Bittle’s status after CBS reported that Bittle — as well as all-conference center N’Faly Dante — could potentially return to the court sometime during the month of January.

“I hope. I hope. They’ve been working. Nate’s doctor’s report came out great when they took the cast off,” Altman said. “Which was a surprise to all of us. So, he’s moving a little quicker. So, we’re hoping that he might be ready.”

Bittle was expected to play a big role on both ends of the floor this season but suffered a broken wrist during Oregon’s Nov. 17 win over Tennessee State. He underwent surgery the following week, and UO announced as the time that he would be reevaluated in eight weeks.

Despite playing the majority of the season without Bittle and Dante, and often rolling with just eight healthy, scholarship players, the Ducks have raced out to a 10-3 start to this season.

Stetson transfer Mahamadou Diawara has stepped into a starting role, and freshman forward Kwame Evans Jr. has made some major strides while adjusting to a traditional big-man role.

However, getting either Bittle or Dante back could be a significant boost for an Oregon squad that has been undersized in nearly every game it has played this season.

Last season, Bittle averaged 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 28 games, including 22 starts. He produced his best two performances of the season during Oregon’s NIT wins over UC Irvine (17 points) and UCF (21 points, 13 rebounds) during which he served as a focal point of the Ducks’ offense.

A former 5-star signee, Bittle was the No. 24 overall player and No. 2 center in the nation for the 2021 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

In addition to Bittle and Dante, the Ducks could also see freshman forward Mookie Cook make a healthy return soon. A 4-star signee who On3 tabbed as the No. 33 player in the 2023 class, Cook has yet to paly in a game this season after undergoing ankle surgery in October for an injury he suffered last spring.

“Dante keeps working out; we’re hoping that they’re ready to go. Obviously, it would be a big boost,” Altman said. “But the guys are playing hard. We’ve just got to keep them playing hard until we hopefully get some reinforcements. Mookie’s working out, too. If we just get any of the three — Mookie’s athleticism. … But those guys have also been out for five weeks. So, the conditioning factor, even if they were to come back, it would be in such a limited role for two or three weeks. Dante obviously hasn’t been running with his knee. … Nate hasn’t been running much.

“But we just hope to get somebody back. Because the guys are playing hard. I can’t fault their effort. I thought we played hard.”

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