Bittle Eyes NBA Second Round

Nate Bittle, Oregon’s standout center, is projected to be selected 49th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft’s second round — a surprise given his team’s rough season. Despite missing a month due to a foot injury, he led Oregon with stellar stats: 16+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 2+ assists per game last season, earning All-Big Ten and All-Defensive honors. With a towering 6’11.5” frame and 7’6” wingspan, he’s being compared to successful Ducks like Payton Pritchard and Dillon Brooks, hoping to follow their path to NBA stardom. His low vertical at the G-League combine raises questions, but his consistent five-year development and potential mentorship under Nikola Jokic (if drafted by the Nuggets) could set him apart. He’ll aim to avoid the pitfalls of Chris Duarte — the last Oregon player drafted — and prove he’s ready for the NBA’s next chapter. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/12e3c42266561e05