**Editor’s Note: This story appears in the Emerald’s Duck Season magazine, a preview of the Oregon men’s basketball team’s season. It is available for free at all Duck Store locations in Eugene. 
Coming off their third straight NCAA Tournament bid last year, the Ducks welcome a solid group of newcomers to fill the void that former guard Joseph Young left behind. Three freshmen, two transfers and one walk-on will join an already deep Oregon roster.
Although Oregon’s recruiting class landed outside the top 20 in the country, according to 247Sports, they will be a critical part of the Ducks’ success this season.
Tyler Dorsey:
One of the top freshmen Oregon has landed in the past few years, Dorsey was the 38th best player in the class of 2015 (according to ESPN’s Top 100) and the 2015 Gatorade State Player of the Year in California. During his senior year at Maranatha High School in Pasadena, he averaged 34.0 points per game to go along with 10.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and scored 52 points in a game against Chaminade. Dorsey is one of the most explosive scorers in the country and should be getting lots of minutes all season long.
Dylan Ennis:
A redshirt transfer from a Villanova team that spent much of last season ranked in the top 10, Ennis was a crucial guard in the Wildcats’ deep run into the NCAA tournament a year ago. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and 36 percent from three. He may not take the court for some time, though, as he will be out for an undisclosed amount of time, having undergone foot injury.
Chris Boucher:
A Montreal, Quebec native and the reigning Spalding NJCAA Division I Player of the Year, Boucher will more than likely start immediately for the Ducks. Boucher averaged 22.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game at Northwest College in Wyoming and was named a First-Team All American. Not only is the 6-foot-10 junior a talented defender — he blocked five or more shots in 11 games last season — he can also step outside and knock down the three.
 
 
Kendall Small:
Another skilled guard from southern California, Small was the 92nd ranked player in ESPN’s Top 100. Standing six feet tall, he displays a broad and unique skill set, averaging 22 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.1 steal per game his senior year at Mayfair High School. He will come off the bench behind fellow guards Casey Benson, Dorsey and Ennis.
Trevor Manuel:
The No. 3 player from the state of Michigan, Manuel finished his high school career at Everett High School averaging 21.9 points per game. His junior year, he helped lead Oak Hill Academy to a 41-4 record and to the championship game of the Dick’s National High School Tournament. He was named to the Class A All-State team following his senior year. The 6-foot-9 forward highlighted his career at Everett with 42 points and 10 blocks in a win over Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills. Expect Manuel to contribute key minutes off the bench.
Phil Richmond:
The lone new walk-on on the team, redshirt junior Richmond was a team manager last year. He last played organized basketball at Calabasas High School. His father, Mitch Richmond, played for Oregon head coach Dana Altman at Moberly Junior College and Kansas State. Mitch played professionally in the NBA for 14 years and was named an All-Star six times.
Follow Gus Morris on Twitter @g_amorris