Oregon linked to San Jose State G Colby Garland in transfer portal

The transfer portal just opened, and the Oregon Ducks are not wasting any time going after some of the top talent available. According to recruiting analyst Sam Kyser, the Ducks are one of several teams interested in San Jose State transfer guard Colby Garland.

Garland is one of the top guards available in the portal, and many of the top programs around the country are pursuing him. Along with the Ducks, programs like Indiana, UCLA, Nebraska, Ole Miss and Auburn are among those interested in his services.

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The Ducks might have the greatest need for Garland after losing their backcourt this offseason. With TK Simpkins graduating and Jackson Shelstad entering the transfer portal, Dana Altman could use Garland’s elite scoring abilities to run the offense in Eugene next season. Garland was one of the top scorers in the country last season, averaging 20.3 points per game in 29 games.

Garland also averaged 4.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds last season. He began his college career at Drake and Longwood, where he spent one season each. The Magnolia, Arkansas, guard earned third-team All-Mountain West honors last season. He’s now looking for his fourth school in as many years.

Oregon would benefit greatly from Garland’s shooting, particularly from the perimeter. He connected on 37.2% of his 3-point shots last season with the Spartans. Without Shelstad as the Ducks’ primary distance shooter, there isn’t anybody currently on the roster that Altman could rely on for a triple. Garland would also be a welcome facilitator to a lineup next season that could include freshmen Tajh Ariza and Kendre Harrison.

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The competition is stiff, and the current state of Oregon’s roster isn’t an ideal selling point, but earning a commitment from Garland would be an ideal building block toward the Ducks competing in the Big Ten next season.

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