In a significant blow to the Oregon Ducks women's basketball team, head coach Kelly Graves witnessed the departure of three key players to the transfer portal in a single day, with forwards Grace VanSlooten and Kennedy Basham, along with shooting guard Chance Gray opting to move on. This exodus follows guard Priscilla Williams announcing her own portal entry, leaving Graves with substantial gaps to fill before the upcoming season.

By the Numbers
  • Grace VanSlooten, a five-star recruit from Toledo, averaged 14.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in her two seasons at Oregon.
  • Chance Gray, ranked 7th nationally, averaged 12 points per game and made 115 three-pointers last season as a Duck.
  • Kennedy Basham, a top post player before an injury setback, averaged 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in her two years at Oregon.
Yes, But

The departure of these key players raises concerns about the team's depth and dynamics for the upcoming season, potentially impacting their competitiveness in the Pac-12 conference.

State of Play
  • Head coach Kelly Graves faces the challenge of filling four key positions in the team roster before the next season.
  • The team will need to adapt to significant changes in its lineup and playing style due to the departures of VanSlooten, Basham, Gray, and Williams.
What's Next

Graves will likely intensify efforts to recruit new talent from the transfer portal to strengthen the team for the upcoming season and mitigate the impact of the recent departures.

Bottom Line

The loss of these pivotal players presents a substantial challenge for Coach Graves, necessitating swift and effective recruitment strategies to maintain the team's competitive edge in the evolving landscape of college athletics.