Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad to enter transfer portal Junior guard Jackson Shelstad of the Oregon Ducks is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal, marking a significant loss for the program. The decision comes after Shelstad missed most of the 2025-26 season due to a recurring hand injury sustained during the preseason. Despite limited playing time, Shelstad contributed 15.6 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game in the 12 contests he managed to play. Shelstad’s departure follows the exit of forward Kwame Evans Jr., who also entered the portal earlier this month. Both players were key contributors to Oregon’s roster over the past three seasons, including two NCAA tournament appearances where the Ducks exited in the Round of 32. Their exits signal the end of a promising 2023 recruiting class that coach Dana Altman had hoped to solidify. Mookie Cook and Jadrian "Bam" Tracey, two other members of that class, already left for other programs. The loss of Shelstad, who was named third-team All-Big Ten in 2024-25 and a Pac-12 All-Freshman honoree in 2023-24, further complicates Oregon’s rebuilding efforts. The Ducks endured their worst season under Altman’s 16-year tenure, finishing with a 12-20 record and failing to reach 20 wins for the first time in program history. Shelstad’s departure could exacerbate challenges in maintaining competitiveness in the Pac-12. Shelstad, a former Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, had considered Gonzaga and UCLA before committing to the Ducks in 2023. His decision to leave now positions him as one of the top point guards available in the transfer portal. With the Ducks struggling to retain key talent, the team faces mounting pressure to address its roster shortcomings and restore success in the conference.#pac_12 #transfer_portal #jackson_shelstad #oregon_ducks #dana_altman
Kansas City no longer a slam dunk for Big 12 basketball tournament The Big 12 Conference has long relied on Kansas City’s T-Mobile Arena for its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, a decision that has now come under scrutiny. Commissioner Brett Yormark extended the contract for the event through 2031 last year, but the arrangement is increasingly seen as outdated given the conference’s expanded geographic reach. The Big 12, once a Midwest-centric league, now spans nearly 2,000 miles from east to west, making Kansas City an impractical hub for fans in Arizona, Utah, and other western states. The decision to keep the tournament in Kansas City has drawn criticism for its limited appeal. While the venue works for schools like Kansas, Iowa State, and Kansas State, it poses significant travel challenges for fans in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. For example, a trip from Colorado’s campus to Kansas City is over 600 miles, and mid-March Kansas City is not a typical destination for most Big 12 fans. The article highlights the need for a more geographically diverse rotation to accommodate the league’s growing footprint. Comparisons to the Pac-12’s approach to its tournament provide a blueprint for change. Former Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott moved the event from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in 2013, transforming it into a major destination for fans. The shift allowed for broader regional access and created a more engaging experience for attendees. Similarly, the Big 12 could adopt a rotating schedule to ensure accessibility for all member schools. Proposed locations for future tournaments include Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Denver, Dallas, and Salt Lake City. This rotation would provide fans in different regions with more affordable and convenient options to attend the event.#t_mobile_arena #las_vegas #big_12_conference #brett_yormark #pac_12
