Oregon Men's Basketball lands elite center recruit Bol Bol

Oregon Ducks Head Coach Dana Altman continues to build a powerhouse program out West, as five-star center Bol Bol -- a former local star at Mater Dei and the son of the late former NBA player Manute Bol -- has signed a National Letter of Intent with the school.

Rated as the No. 3 overall player nationally by 247Sports.com, and No. 4 by ESPN, the Kansas City, Mo., native becomes the highest-ranked player to ever sign with Oregon.  Prior to Bol, Oregon’s highest signee was Malik Hairston, who was ranked No. 7 overall.

“We are really excited to welcome Bol Bol to our program,” said Altman. “Obviously he is a very unique player with a special basketball history and a great basketball family."

With Bol, the Ducks have signed the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class according to 247Sports.com.  Bol will join forward Louis King (No. 16 overall, 247Sports), guard Will Richardson (No. 38 overall, ESPN) and Miles Norris (No. 48 overall, ESPN) to give Oregon four players in the national top 50.

“Coach Tony Stubblefield developed a strong relationship with Bol and his mother and we are really looking forward to watch Bol develop both as a player and a person,” said Altman.
       
Bol, 7-2, averaged 16.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game for Mater Dei as a junior, and led them to a 33-win season, as well as a CIF runner-up finish.  He will complete his senior year of high school at Findlay Prep in Las Vegas.  Bol is listed as the No. 1 center in the nation by both ESPN and 247Sports.com.

Richardson, 6-4, is a guard at Oak Hill Academy, who is a four-star recruit according to ESPN.  He is ranked as the No. 38 recruit in ESPN’s top 100, and the 47th-best player overall player by 247Sports.com.

King, 6-8, is a forward from New Jersey, and a five-star recruit according to ESPN.  He is listed as the No. 16 recruit in the nation by 247Sports.com, and the fifth-best small forward.

Miles Norris, 6-10, is a forward from Chula Vista, California, and a four-star recruit according to ESPN.  He also played briefly at Mater Dei.  Norris is ranked 48th in ESPN’s top 60 for the class of 2018, and is listed as the No. 73 player nationally by 247Sports.com.

“They are student-athletes who our fans are going to enjoy getting to know both on and off the court,” said Altman. “I think they will fit in really well with our current team.”

Last year, the Ducks reached the Final Four.  Oregon also has had back-to-back Pac-12 championships and NCAA Elite Eight appearances.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services