With the Ducks’ 2021-22 season now in the books, head coach Dana Altman expected to see some attrition. The first bit of it arrived Tuesday.

First-year center Isaac Johnson has entered the transfer portal, according to The Oregonian’s James Crepea. The 7-footer played in 14 games for the Ducks this past season.

 

Originally a part of the 2019 class, Johnson spent two years on a religious mission trip before joining the Ducks’ program this past year. He averaged 2.4 points and just over one rebound a game in 5.4 minutes.

Johnson shot 61% from the field and had his best performance against Chaminade in the non-conference when he scored eight points in nine minutes. With N’Faly Dante and Franck Kepnang at the 5, minutes were scarce to begin with and the first-year post player saw his court time coming few and far between.

Coming out of high school, Johnson was rated as the 74th overall player in the country and the 18th-best center, per the 247 Composite. He picked Oregon over offers from hometown programs in Utah and BYU as well as Gonzaga, among others.

The departure isn’t totally surprising in that it starts to clean up the logjam in the frontcourt. Dante and Kepnang both have eligibility to return. Oregon also has 5-star 2021 signee Nate Bittle at center. Bittle played in 23 games this season. In addition, the Ducks signed 5-star center Kel’el Ware as part of a 2022 class that features the No. 1 JUCO prospect in the cycle and another 5-star in the backcourt.