Nathan Bittle Explained

Nathan Bittle, nicknamed "The Alligator", (born June 3, 2003) is an American college basketball player for the Oregon Ducks of the Pac-12 Conference.

High school career

Bittle played basketball for Crater High School in Central Point, Oregon. In his sophomore season, he averaged 21.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game.^[1] He had 10 blocks, an Oregon School Activities Association state tournament single-game record, against Pendleton High School in a 5A consolation game.^[2] As a junior, he averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game, leading his team to the 5A state semifinals before the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He earned 5A Player of the Year accolades from The Oregonian.^[3] Bittle transferred to Prolific Prep in Napa, California for his senior season, after his Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) coach Mark Phelps was hired as head coach of the program.^[4] He was named to the rosters for the McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.^[5]

Recruiting

Bittle was considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN, and a four-star recruit by Rivals. On September 15, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Oregon over offers from Gonzaga, UCLA and Arizona.^[6]

College career

After playing sparingly as a freshman, Bittle averaged 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He missed nine weeks as a junior following surgery on his left wrist.^[7]

Career statistics

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22| style="text-align:left;"| Oregon| 23 || 0 || 6.9 || .500 || .200 || .529 || 1.9 || .2 || .2 || .7 || 1.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23| style="text-align:left;"| Oregon| 28 || 22 || 18.3 || .490 || .339 || .667 || 5.1 || .8 || .4 || 1.2 || 7.3|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 51 || 22 || 13.2 || .492 || .328 || .636 || 3.7 || .5 || .3 || 1.0 || 4.8

Personal life

Bittle's father, Ryan, played college basketball at the Oregon Institute of Technology.^[8]

External links

• Oregon Ducks bio
• USA Basketball bio

Notes and References

1. Web site: James . Marty . Napa Valley Notes and Quotes: Prolific Prep's Bittle named an All-American . . June 24, 2021 . March 1, 2021.
2. Web site: Gates . Billy . 6-foot-10 sophomore Nate Bittle records triple-double en route to claiming two all-time state tournament marks . . June 24, 2021 . March 7, 2019.
3. Web site: Derby . Cameron . Bittle named 2020 5A Player of the Year . . June 24, 2021 . April 15, 2020.
4. Web site: Nemec . Andrew . Nathan Bittle, 5-star center, transferring from Crater High School to Prolific Prep: Sources . . June 24, 2021 . August 18, 2020.
5. Web site: Henry . Kris . Nate Bittle named McDonald's All-American . . June 25, 2021 . February 23, 2021.
6. Web site: Borzello . Jeff . Biancardi . Paul . September 15, 2020 . Nate Bittle, No. 8 basketball player in ESPN 100, commits to Oregon Ducks . June 25, 2021 . . Paul Biancardi.
7. News: Crepea . James . Oregon men’s basketball center Nate Bittle expected to return vs. Arizona State . March 20, 2024 . . January 23, 2024.
8. Web site: Kornhauser . Jacob . Amateur Athlete: Larger-Than-Life Freshman Nathan Bittle Hits the Ground Running for Crater . . June 25, 2021 . January 4, 2018.