Oregon will have its starting center back in 2025-26.
Nate Bittle, who declared for the NBA draft earlier this spring but maintained his college eligibility, is returning for his fifth and final season at UO, a source confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Bittle led the Ducks with 14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks last season. In 91 career games with 62 starts, Bittle has averaged 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
He was among 45 players invited to Chicago for the three-day NBA G League Elite Camp earlier this month and had 11 points, four rebounds and one block and one assist in one game and four points and three rebounds in another.
Jon Rothstein first reported the return of Bittle, the sixth current Oregon player coming back next season. UO has 11 scholarship players in 2025-26, with two open scholarships remaining.
Bittle and point guard Jackson Shelstad returning from the starting lineup last season, with forward Kwame Evans Jr. as the only other returning player with starting experience at UO.
Transfers TK Simpkins, Sean Stewart and Devon Pryor are expected to contend for the other two starting roles, with Dezdrick Lindsay and Jamari Phillips also in the mix.
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