Dunigan keeps Ducks guessing about his plans;Basketball Oregon Men;Oregon's tallest player won't
Byline: Bob Clark The Register-Guard
Michael Dunigan's future on the Oregon basketball still seems to be in doubt, a week after a report in a Tel Aviv newspaper indicated he was about to sign a contract with a professional team in Israel.
Asked Wednesday if he expects Dunigan back with the Ducks, Oregon coach Dana Altman said, "I just don't know."
Efforts to contact Dunigan and family members have been unsuccessful. Altman said he spoke with Dunigan in the past week, since first learning of the report that the 6-foot-10 junior was considering turning pro, but didn't get a definitive decision on Dunigan's future.
It may be that the Ducks won't find out what Dunigan is doing until either his signing is announced, or he returns to Eugene next week for the start of individual workouts.
NCAA rules allow teams that have not begun school to start workouts with a limited number of players at a time, and with coaches present, on Sept. 15. Altman said that Oregon had previously planned to begin a day or two later because of his being on a recruiting trip and the Ducks having made an exhibition tour to Italy.
However, that trip was cancelled because of the Ducks' limited roster and some additional health concerns.
If Dunigan doesn't return to the Ducks, Altman's first Oregon teamwould have only nine scholarship players. Four players previously chose to transfer to other schools, and the lengthy hiring process to replace Ernie Kent left Altman with little time, and options, for recruiting additional players. He was able to add one freshman and one junior college transfer to the returning players.
While it isn't unusual to lose players during a coaching change, three of those who left - Drew Wiley, Matt Humphrey and Josh Crittle -had essentially made their decisions to leave the Ducks before Altman's hiring.
"There was not much discussion there" about the players remaining,Altman said.
In the case of Jamil Wilson, the Wisconsin native had said during the coaching search that he would decide on a possible transfer in the summer, after returning home to Racine and discussing it with his family. In late June, he announced he was transferring to Marquette, about 25 miles from Racine in Milwaukee.
"I wanted Jamil to stay," Altman said. "At the same time, I do understand him wanting to be closer to his family."
One other Duck, Malcolm Armstead, considered transferring but recommitted to Oregon after Altman met with Armstead's parents.
The Dunigan situation is the most perplexing. He was enrolled in summer classes and participated in workouts when the Ducks practiced before their planned trip to Italy.
On Dunigan's possible reasons for leaving the Ducks, Altman said, "I don't have enough information" to comment on that.
Dunigan averaged 9.0 points last season and a team-high 4.8 rebounds, and he was fifth in the Pac-10 with 37 blocked shots. In his freshman season, he averaged 8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds.
If Dunigan doesn't come back, Oregon will have only two players onits roster who are taller than 6-foot-6.
Westview post recruit commits to Oregon
Austin Kuemper, a 6-foot-9, 210-pound senior at Westview High School, has committed to signing a letter of intent with the Ducks, according to Internet recruiting sites.
Kuemper would be the first member of this recruiting class. As a junior for the high school in the Beaverton school district, Kuemper averaged 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds.
