Jackson Shelstad has announced that he’s leaving the Oregon Ducks via the transfer portal. This is understandable for a player of his stature, after such a disappointing season like the one Oregon just had. The team went 12-20 in the regular season and finished third-to-last in the Big Ten.
Shelstad averaged 15.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season. He’s considered a four-star transfer by 247Sports and the top prospect on the transfer portal at the moment.
Top 5 Teams That Should Target Jackson Shelstad
#5 St. John’s Red Storm
The Red Storm have become the revelation of the 2025-26 season, taking the battle to Dan Hurley’s UConn, beating them in the regular season and Big East Tournament. Rick Pitino has done so, mainly on the back of the transfer portal. A player like Jackson Shelstad could be the piece they are lacking to become a Final Four contender.
#4 Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers 2025-26 season was a disappointment, with their regular season ending with an 18-14 record. They are in desperate need to reconstruct their roster. Having already played in the Big Ten with the Ducks, Shelstad’s transition to Bloomington should be fairly straightforward. He could be the rock upon which Darian DeVries builds his team.
#3 UCLA Bruins
The Bruins’ 2025-26 season was decent. A 24-12 record in the regular season placed them in the No. 6 spot of the Big Ten standings. They were the only team in the top seven of the conference not to be ranked as a Top-25 AP Poll team.
That and a semifinal run in the Big Ten Tournament were enough for them to make it to the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the second round and lost to the UConn Huskies. While all of that was okay, what do they need to take it to the next level? Perhaps Jackson Shelstad is the answer.
#2 Gonzaga Bulldogs
As usual, the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ regular season was pristine, with them finishing with a 31-4 overall record and as WCC regular season and tournament champions. They were ranked No. 12 in the nation. As expected, they were considered one of the favorite teams to reach the Elite Eight round.
Quite the contrary, they ended up becoming the protagonists of one of the biggest upsets of March Madness so far, falling in the second round to the Texas Longhorns. Jackson Shelstad could be the player to make them a Final Four contender once more.
#1 Kentucky Wildcats
Once more, the Kentucky Wildcats have had a disappointing season under Mark Pope, finishing with a 22-14 regular-season record and falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to the Iowa State Cyclones. Pope’s transfer class from last season struggled with poor performances and injuries. Shelstad could be the kind of high-volume playmaker he needs to put the SEC sleeping giant back on track.
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