EUGENE — Oregon could be losing its starting center for a second straight offseason.

Central Point’s Nate Bittle declared for the NBA draft on Monday, but said through social media that he will maintain his college eligibility and return to Oregon if he chooses to return to college for his final season.

“Every day I play basketball at Oregon, I live my childhood dream. The best part of playing at Oregon no kid could ever imagine: The University of Oregon community and the die-hard Duck fans. They are what makes this place truly special for me and I want to express my deepest gratitude. Thank you!!

“After speaking with Coach Altman, and my parents, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue another childhood dream of one day playing in the NBA. Today, I am declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility. I will not be entering the transfer portal. If I return to college basketball next season, there will only be one place for me and it’s here in Eugene with Coach Altman. Once a Duck, Always a Duck!”

Bittle led the Ducks with 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds this season. Should he choose to utilize it, Bittle has one year of college eligibility remaining after being granted a medical redshirt late in the season following a shortened 2023-24 campaign.

The departure of the former Crater High standout, who played his senior season at Prolific Prep, would leave Oregon with eight scholarship players in 2025-26, with no centers.

Bittle is one of five finalists for the 2025 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar center of the year award, joined by Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, Maryland’s Derik Queen, Michigan’s Vladislav Goldin and Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud.

Bittle finished the season as one of four players in the country with at least 400 points, 200 rebounds and 65 blocks this season, and was the only one of the four to make at least 25 3-pointers.