The Ducks will have two Australian natives on the roster when they hit the court in 2015.
Megan Trinder, a 5-7 sophomore guard currently playing at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, gave head coach Kelly Graves and Oregon women’s basketball a verbal commitment this afternoon, she told the Emerald.
Trinder, originally from Hollywell, Queensland, Australia, will join center Jacinta Vandenberg as the second Australian on Graves’ roster. She will take an official visit to Eugene this weekend, will sign in April and anticipates being on-campus in July, she said.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be playing for the Ducks,” Trinder said. “It’s just crazy. It’s a dream come true.”
Trinder was named All-ICCAC this week after posting 11.6 points per game and leading her conference in assists (7.3 a game). She shot 43.2 percent from the field this season.
Trinder said assistant coach Nicolle Powell visited her in Nebraska and the two clicked instantly.
“We will always have that connection,” Trinder said of her and Vandenberg. “That really means a lot to me in my decision as well.”
Trinder was named All-State in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. She was also named an All-Australian in 2011 and 2012, according to Northeast’s website. It was important for her to select a program with coaches who create a family environment, she said.
“(My family) got to talk to (Graves) over Skype,” Trinder said. “They were really, really happy. They loved him.”
She said she chose Oregon over TCU and Wisconsin.
“Obviously I’m a long way from home, but I feel like (the coaches) will look after me really well,” Trinder said. “A lot of people back home — Kelly’s coached a lot of Australians over the years — everybody has really great reports on him, that he’s an awesome coach.”
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