Dana Altman provides positive injury update on Oregon center N'Faly Dante
Injuries have told the story of Oregon’s 2022-23 season thus far.
The Ducks were missing four scholarship players during their Monday win over Montana State and have several others working their way back from preseason injuries.
On Monday, it appeared that think had from bad to worse for the Ducks when star center N’Faly Dante collapsed to the floor late in the second half and appeared to be in some pain. He did not return during the final seven minutes of the game.
During his postgame press conference, though, head coach Dana Altman delivered some news that will be music to the ears of Duck fans.
“His hip’s been bothering him and he hit it on that play,” Altman said. “I think he’ll be OK. Gonna take a couple days off here and let him rest it a couple days. But I think by Friday he’ll be ready to go.”
Dante, Oregon’s starting center, has dealt with injuries throughout his college career and underwent reconstructive knee surgery in the winter of 2020. He wasn’t able to return to game action until mid-November last season, and he spent much of the year on a minutes restriction as he worked his way back.
“I thought he got shot there for a minute, the way he went down,” Altman said. “He said he’s OK. I talked to him for a little bit.”
In three games this year, Dante is averaging 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
During Oregon’s season-opening win over Florida A&M, Dante racked up 16 points and 10 rebounds. He spoke with reporters after that game, he said he feels “great” and noted that this is the first time in four years at Oregon that he was able to have a true preseason that wasn’t altered by injuries.
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“Since I’ve been at Oregon I’ve never had this hunger to work out with the team and practice,” said Dante, a fourth-year junior. “Glad to have teammates that can trust me and pick me up every single day when I’m down. I feel great.”
Dante’s seemingly-positive prognosis is key for Oregon, especially at a time when the Ducks have just eight scholarship players available. They are slated to face No. 3 Houston Sunday in Eugene.
Senior guard Jermaine Couisnard, sophomore guard Brennan Rigsby, forward Ethan Butler, and forward Lok Wur are all sidelined with injuries at the moment. Senior guard Rivaldo Soares and sophomore center Nate Bittle also dealt with injuries during the preseason.
On Monday, Oregon’s three walk-ons — Gabe Reichle, Brady Parris, and James Cooper — all saw playing time, with Reichle playing some meaningful minutes in the first half.
“It affects everything,” Altman said of the injury absences prior to Oregon’s season-opener. “It affects practice, mostly. We’re just not getting as much done as we need to. We’ve had a crazy October here — just had a lot of guys out.”
