Arguably the nation’s top junior college prospect has narrowed down his list.
On Friday, South Plains College (Texas) guard/forward Rivaldo Soares announced a top six of DePaul, Florida, Oklahoma State, Oregon, St. John’s and San Diego State:
TOP 6 👀 Decision coming soon ... pic.twitter.com/tDp3bZacs8
— Rivaldo Soares (@Waldo_ML) April 30, 2021
The 6-foot-6, 190-pound wing is a priority target for the Oregon Ducks and Dana Altman, as he could slide into the role vacated by NBA-bound guard Chris Duarte.
And it’s easy to see why the Soares-to-Duarte projection would be so seamless.
Duarte was a junior college prospect in his own right and was named the national player of the year.
This season, Soares is a national player of the year candidate and won the WJCAC player of the year after averaging 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Although he has not yet set a decision date, a commitment is expected “soon.”
Oregon’s roster is experiencing major turnover this year due to the anticipated departures of Eugene Omoruyi and Duarte, as well as several transfers.
To combat that, the Ducks have signed five-star center Nathan Bittle and secured the commitment of key Oklahoma sophomore transfer De’Vion Harmon, a two-year starter who averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season.
Clearly, however, Oregon isn’t done.
And Soares could be the next piece added into the mix.
-- Andrew Nemec | anemec@oregonian.com | @AndrewNemec