On Jan. 26, 2023, the Oregon Ducks’ women’s basketball program secured a commitment from Lane Community College’s most promising prospect: a defensive stalwart from its backyard that led Lane to its sixth NWAC title. 

But that is not where Bella Hamel’s journey to Eugene began. 

Growing up in Hillsboro, Ore., Hamel has always been a Ducks fan. 

“I’ve been watching the Oregon Ducks my whole entire life, so the fact that I get to represent them and wear the uniform is really empowering,” Hamel said. 

While at Liberty High School, Hamel started to build her resume as a workhorse and was named Pacific Conference Defensive Player of the Year. She also cemented her name as a Class 6A All-State selection. 

Receiving little interest, notably from her beloved Ducks, Hamel decided to take her talents to Lane County in a different way. 

About four miles from Matthew Knight Arena lies the University of Oregon’s backyard; within it, Lane Community College, where Hamel would shine in the next three years. 

“Going into Lane, I was immature, I still didn’t know what I wanted, and it gave me a taste of what college basketball was like,” Hamel said. “It gave me the strength to be who I am today.”

During her time at Lane, Hamel appeared in 73 games — and started for the Titans in every single one of them. In the pandemic-impacted 2020-21 season, Hamel was named to the all-region team, the all-freshman team and the all-defensive team. 

She dazzled again in the 2021-22 season, her official freshman season. Hamel was named the NWAC Southern Region Freshman of the Year and was named to both the first-team and the all-defensive team. 

The 2022-23 season was the culmination of all she worked for. 

In her final season at Lane, Hamel proved to everyone that this was the right decision, winning the NWAC Baden Player of the Year. She averaged 18.3 points per game, 12.3 rebounds per game and shot 42.4% from three. 

Hamel also led the Titans to a 32-1 record and a NWAC tournament win, Lane’s sixth-ever title.

But that wasn’t nearly the highlight of her season.

“I never thought I would get a call from a big school like Oregon,” Hamel said. “I didn’t commit on the spot, but I would’ve.”

Hamel received the call over winter break and was away from family. Keeping this hushed up from them was difficult, but telling her parents this news over the phone wouldn’t do it justice. 

“I wanted to tell my parents first and then I was gonna commit … I knew once [head coach Kelly Graves] offered me, I was gonna commit,” Hamel said. 

However, coming into a Division I program meant that Hamel needed to take on a different role. This season, the senior played a total of just 73 minutes, mostly in the waning moments of games that the Ducks never had a chance in. 

Adapting to this role was tough for Hamel, who was a starter and go-to player in all of her three years at Lane.  

What helped her the most, she said, was that her teammates were tremendously supportive of her and that she was never made to feel less important than she did at Lane. 

Nonetheless, this season has been a wonder for the Hillsboro native. Oregon has been her dream school for as long as she can remember. 

 “I finally made it to the top, I never thought I would get here, seriously,” Hamel said. “I kinda feel like a big dog.”

What shined through about Hamel was her maturity and understanding of the “play your best five” mentality spurred by Graves, Hamel said. She has handled the transition from star player to emotional leader with grace and has been one of the loudest, most supportive voices from the bench. 

As the season comes to a close and Hamel is given her flowers on senior night with her family by her side, the jumbotron will have a hard time capturing what it took for her to get to that moment. 

Three years being Lane’s star and her untraditional path gave her the strength and perseverance to achieve her ultimate dream. Hamel paved the way for Titans to become Ducks and has proven that teams go much deeper than who is out there on the court every day. 

“Once a Titan, always a Titan, and I really do feel that,” Hamel said.