In a thrilling matchup on Thursday, rising freshmen Kwame Evans and Jackson Shelstad showcased their talents, propelling the Oregon Ducks to victory against the USC Trojans. Despite a narrow eight-point margin, the Ducks maintained control for an impressive 38 out of 40 minutes, demonstrating resilience, particularly on the defensive end. Notably, this achievement is even more remarkable considering the absence of star big men N’Faly Dante and Nathan Bittle.
Photo Cred: Ducks Wire
Standing tall at 6’9, Evans played a pivotal role in the center position, contributing a career-high 22 points. This included an impressive 3-4 from beyond the arc and a flawless 7-7 from the free-throw line. Head Coach Dana Altman lauded Evans’ development, emphasizing his improved physicality. Altman noted, “His physicality is improving; he started the year wanting to be on the perimeter all the time. That would have been okay if we had Dante and Nate, but he’s got to play more inside.”
Shelstad, a local talent, continued to shine in his freshman campaign. He added 21 points to the scoreboard. Altman expressed his admiration for Shelstad’s coachability, stating, “I want the ball in his hands; he tries hard to do what I ask him to do, he’s coachable.”
LeBron James Jr., a name familiar to diehard basketball fans, contributed five points for the Trojans in only his fourth game back since suffering cardiac arrest in August. Still acclimating to the college floor with limited minutes, James exhibited a tentative approach, particularly in his shot-creating and play making abilities. Many of his attempts came from spot-up opportunities, and even those struggled to find the mark.
While much of the attention has centered on James, another notable name took the reins for the Trojans on Thursday. DJ Rodman scored 14 points in an impressive display, logging in 32 minutes. Forward Joshua Morgan matched Rodman’s scoring output with 14 points on an efficient 6-for-7 shooting, while Isaiah Collier added 11 to the tally. Looking ahead, the Ducks will face the UCLA Bruins at home in the Matthew Knight Arena on Saturday, while the USC Trojans will travel to the Gil Coliseum to take on the Oregon State Beavers.
