LAFAYETTE, California — When Mallory McGwire took an unofficial visit to Eugene in April, she knew exactly what she was going to do. The Oregon coaching staff, on the other hand, had no idea.
After meeting in an empty Matthew Knight Arena, McGwire, a two-time Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year and five-star rated center, hinted she was curious if a No. 44 jersey would still be available on the Ducks’ roster.

“They were shocked,” McGwire said. “I knew they were excited, but they were over-the-top ecstatic.”

Both assistant coach Mark Campbell and head coach Kelly Graves jumped up and down and embraced her — a moment she said will never forget. She hopes it won’t be the last time she and her future coaches celebrate.

From the onset, the Ducks and Graves had an instant connection with the 6-foot-4 McGwire. She talked with plenty of Pac-12 coaches, but Graves visited her hometown of Reno, Nevada at least three times. Graves told McGwire he doesn’t usually visit a city more than twice.

“It was super special that he cared that much to come out to my games,” McGwire said, “and during their season, too.”

Her mother Dana remembers a time Graves stopped before leaving her house and noticed a cello that her youngest daughter played. Graves had the most interest in it of anyone in the room, sputtering off questions and sparking a conversation about music. It was that simple interest in things outside of basketball that earned her mother’s trust, she said.

“When he said he loved the cello, it was so opposite of an athlete,” Dana McGwire said. “He is kind of a coach, a dad and a therapist all-rolled up in-one,”

Mallory loves that Oregon, under Graves’ leadership, isn’t solely focused on basketball. The program is more of a family than a team, she said.

“[The coaches] wanted Mallory, and she wants to be a part of the foundation for a successful program,” her father, Dan McGwire, said.

Mallory ultimately came to the decision on her own. Her mother Dana was even surprised when Mallory made her decision because she hadn’t let on how much she liked Oregon. She watched her older sister Morgan, now playing basketball at Santa Clara, go through the recruiting process just a few years before.

Mallory’s currently a part of a five-member 2016 recruiting class that was recently ranked the fourth-best in the nation by ProspectsNation.com. As it stands now, McGwire will be the highest ranked recruit in Oregon history by ESPN HoopGurlz at No. 31 in the nation.

Kelly Sopak, McGwire’s Cal Stars Nike Elite club coach, detected a change in McGwire’s attitude last summer. Instead of being simply the tallest on the court, McGwire embraced basketball and her ability, Sopak said. At the high school level, she dominated in 2014-15, averaging 21.8 points and 14.3 rebounds along with 6.9 blocked shots.

“Her best basketball is so far ahead of her,” Sopak said. “It’s unfathomable to think of how good she can be.”

Today, everything Mallory does is green and yellow. She follows every tweet, photo or announcement from the coaches. Her father said she cycles through her green and yellow wardrobe regularly. She proudly has an “O” on the car she drives, including a license plate frame, a phone case and tank tops.

“It’s like everything she owns is Oregon,” Dana McGwire said. “She’s covered from head to toe.”

She’s eager to meet her future teammates, who will play in many of the same prestigious summer tournaments this summer. McGwire has planned quick face-to-face visits in Portland and Nashville, Tennessee.

Getting high-level Pac-12 interest hasn’t come without sacrifice. McGwire’s club team is based in the Bay Area, a four hour drive from her house. She doesn’t spend much time in Reno during the summer, but the exposure and development Sopak provides has only elevated her game, she said.

Sopak said McGwire’s development will benefit from the relationship and rapport Oregon offers.

“I have a lot of confidence in Kelly [Graves]’ ability to develop post players and I think that’s what Mallory needs,” Sopak said.
McGwire said she’s felt less pressure on the court since verbally committing in April. Even after her announcement, she remains in close contact with the staff.
“I want to be there now,” McGwire said. “I’m so excited. … I can’t wait to be there to experience it.”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne