Ever since her final classes at Northeast Community College on May 13, Oregon signee Megan Trinder has noticed the days are passing by slower.
She’s been staying at a teammate’s house and finding ways to work on her game at a local high school gym in Norfolk, Nebraska. Trinder has helped out at a few kids basketball camps to pass time, but as she finalizes plans for an apartment in Eugene, Trinder is about to make the next leap in her basketball career
“I just want to get there and play,” Trinder said.
She lands in Eugene on June 20 and starts classes on June 22, UO’s first summer school session. Trinder — a Hollywell, Queensland, Australia native — said she’s more prepared for the transition than she was two years ago.
“When I first came to Northeast (Community College), I honestly knew nothing,” Trinder said. “I didn’t even know where Nebraska was on a map.”
She said she’s had no trouble staying motivated, even without a regular conditioning program. She said she wants to be in her best shape for summer practices. Head coach Kelly Graves and his staff are allowed just two hours a week on the court during the summer per NCAA rules.
“I can’t really waste time,” Trinder said. “I’m ready to get right into it.”
Trinder ranked third in the nation in assists at the junior college level last season with 7.3. She said her summer goal includes improving her jump shot and shooting ability.
“I’ve always just been really comfortable with my role as a point guard organizing the team and dishing assists,” Trinder said. “I’ve never honestly focused on my own shot.”
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Graves plans to spend a majority of his summer in Eugene helping to improve the skill sets of the players already on his roster. The remainder of his family will move into his South University home this summer. His wife and two younger sons stayed in Spokane so their middle son Jack could finish at Gonzaga Prep, the same high school as freshman forward signee Oti Gildon.
The Ducks will be without signee Maite Cazorla, playing for Spain’s under-19 team this summer through early August. Fellow signee Lauren Yearwood will likely represent Team Canada this summer as well, a star of last year’s Canada under-18 team. Graves said he never asks his players to forgo the opportunity to play for their national teams.
“I always always encourage them to play for their national teams,” Graves said. ‘That’s a dream of every kid.”
Cazorla will double up this summer, also competing on Spain’s under-18 team in the 2015 European Championships.
“I am very excited to play for my country this summer and get the chance to compete against the best players in the world,” Cazorla said. She also said she’s looking forward to getting to know all of her future teammates and get a taste of the athletic department’s support.
Former Boston College forward Kat Cooper has also announced she will spend her fifth year of eligibility at Oregon, saying she will be on campus for the start of summer school on June 22. UO has not yet announced her transfer.
In addition, the Ducks signed Mar’Shay Moore in April, a junior college transfer guard who averaged 24.1 points a game last year.
Oregon saw two transfers this spring. Guard Drea Toler transferred from the program in April and forward Tatum Neubert also departed, signing with LSU for next season.
“I don’t like it when players transfer,” Graves said. “I don’t. I take it hard. It’s not something that I look forward to.”
The two transfers leaves Graves with five returning players — Lexi Bando, Lexi Petersen, Jillian Alleyne, Katie Gruys and Jordan Loera — and Fresno State transfer Jacinta Vandenberg, who practiced with the team last season and will be eligible to play after sitting out last year.
Graves said he’s been impressed with the drive of his student-athletes this spring, particularly Bando and Petersen’s ball handling.
“I know that we’re going to be at least two-deep at every position, which is incredible,” Graves said. “And quality depth.”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne
