N'Faly Dante, formerly the No. 18 player in the ESPN class of 2020, committed to the Oregon Ducks on Tuesday and reclassified to 2019, meaning he'll be eligible to play this season. Here's how our experts expect Dante to help the Ducks, and how he might alter their profile on the national stage.
How he fits: Dana Altman and Oregon have undergone a massive reconstruction since the season ended. Bol Bol, Louis King and Kenny Wooten all entered the NBA draft with eligibility remaining, and Victor Bailey Jr. and Miles Norris ended up transferring out of the program. Throw in the graduations of rotation regulars Paul White and Ehab Amin, and the Ducks were down to six scholarship players at one point. But Altman went out and landed graduate transfers Shakur Juiston (UNLV) and Anthony Mathis (New Mexico), as well as late signee Lok Wur.
Dante is the final piece to the puzzle, and he provides an anchor down low for the Ducks. Juiston was a double-double machine two seasons ago at UNLV and will expect to start immediately, while returnee Francis Okoro is a bruising shot-blocker and rebounder who can play a role off the bench. Dante brings size and high-level production at both ends of the floor and gives Altman some more lineup versatility. He can use Juiston and Dante together down low, with five-star freshman CJ Walker at the small forward position, or play Walker at the 4 and one of the bigs at the 5. -- Jeff Borzello, ESPN College Basketball Insider
How he plays: N'Faly hails from Mali and is a throwback type of big -- a true center. Dante was fantastic as the co-MVP at the Peach Jam, leading MoKan Elite to the championship. The 7-foot big man runs the floor with long strides and effort to hustle back on defense to protect the basket or to outrun opponents for transition dunks. With excellent hands and improving footwork, Dante plays a traditional post-up game with deep position and leverage. He has learned how to slow down inside and score with his back to the basket and has confidence in his jump hook over his left shoulder. When it comes to pick-and-roll action, he dives hard to the rim and attracts attention. A very good lob catcher with balance and bounce, Dante finishes and fights through contact.
Dante will bring the Ducks a rim protector, a paint finisher and a mobile big man who is a high-percentage field goal scorer, as well as an impactful rebounder on both ends. His short-jumper and free throw percentages are in the low 60s, and both will need to be addressed. When he is dialed in, look for Dante to be an impactful player for Dana Altman and have a long career in the NBA. -- Paul Biancardi, ESPN National Recruiting Director
When we'll see him in the NBA/Big-picture impact: ESPN NBA draft expert Jonathan Givony doesn't expect Dante to be a one-and-done player, but his impact on the college landscape heading into the 2019-20 season can't be overestimated. Had Dante ended up at Kentucky instead of Oregon, the Wildcats likely would have been the consensus No. 2 team in the country behind Michigan State. Now that he's headed to Eugene, the Ducks are the clear Pac-12 favorite. Arizona had held that title for most of the offseason, but Dante's commitment, combined with the injury to starting Arizona guard Brandon Williams, moves Altman's program to the top of the pecking order. We had Oregon at No. 17 in the latest Way-Too-Early Top 25, but Dante's commitment pushes the Ducks much higher in the rankings. There's a strong case to be made for the Ducks to knock on the door of the preseason top-10. -- Borzello
Player comparison: You have to go back decades to think of a post who influenced and dominated as a 7-footer with a 7-foot-5 wingspan. Dante reminds me of a young Dikembe Mutombo, as both are paint players, run the floor with determination and go after everything from a shot-blocking standpoint. As an assistant at Boston College, I got an up-close and firsthand look at Mutombo when he was at Georgetown. Both players also came to the U.S. as teenagers and had to adjust to the game as well as the culture. Mutombo, a Congo native, didn't start playing basketball until he was 17. He went on and played 18 seasons in the NBA and is the second-leading career shot-blocker in NBA history. The physical tools and work habits are already in place for Dante to excel. Dante also reminds me of a bigger (but not as athletic) Clint Capela. -- Biancardi
How the class is shaping up: As usual, Oregon is bringing in one of the better recruiting classes in the country. Dante is the second five-star member of the group, joining Walker. There's a chance both will start immediately, but at least one will likely be in the starting five on Day 1. Altman also brings in ESPN 100 frontcourt pieces Chandler Lawson and Isaac Johnson. Lawson is versatile and can play multiple spots on the floor, but Johnson won't enroll until 2021 after a two-year Latter-day Saints mission. Elite junior college prospect Chris Duarte could also start right away, and power forward Wur will round out the rotation. Graduate transfers Juiston and Mathis also can make strong cases to start, as Juiston was extremely productive at UNLV and Mathis is the best shooter on the team. -- Borzello