Five-star center N’Faly Dante has committed to Oregon. This is a big one. For an Oregon roster experiencing a lot of turnover from last seasons Sweet Sixteen team, help in the frontcourt was desperately needed.

Dante is a five-star center from Sunrise Christian in Wichita, Kansas. He is originally from Mali in West Africa, however.

N’Faly Dante commits

Impact on Oregon

Dante is listed at 6’11” and 230 pounds, and he is the third-ranked center from the 2020 class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. He will be reclassifying, however, and will be part of the 2019 recruiting class.

After receiving a couple of transfers this offseason, Dana Altman was able to get help in the backcourt, but with Kenny Wooten leaving early for the NBA, Paul White graduating, and Miles Norris transferring, the frontcourt was a weak spot. Five-star forward CJ Walker is going to come in and help, as is junior college forward Chandler Lawson. Francis Okoro is back as well after emerging late last season as a real producer for the team, especially on the defensive end.

Expect Dante to come in and compete for a starting spot. As mentioned, Okoro emerged last season and is going to compete for that spot as well.

What to expect

A big-time battle should take place during preseason practice between Dante and Okoro for who’s going to start at the center position. Regardless, both will play.

The reason both will play is defense. Since Dana Altman has been at Oregon, his best teams have been great on the defensive end. If Okoro can continue to improve, and Dante can come in and play at the division one level on defense, this will be another good defensive team.

The other strength is rebounding. Both Okoro and Dante can rebound. Last season Oregon was top-50 nationally in both defensive and offensive rebounding but struggled once conference games started.

With the lack of frontcourt players before this commitment, rebounding was a concern. Much of that concern should be put to rest now.

What Oregon will get out of their bigs offensively will be a question. If Okoro or Dante can emerge as a threat on the offensive end, it will give the team a better chance to win the conference. However, the defense they can play is a good place to start.