Oregon's Oleksandr Kobzystyi gains strength for next season

Oregon forward Oleksandr Kobzystyi is looking forward to making an impact in the 2025-26 season. This year was mainly about developing his skills, as he joined the team late and only played in two games for a total of eight minutes. Kobzystyi, who prefers to be called Sasha, has been working on his strength. He noted that he gained 30 pounds, going from 180 to 210-211. He said, “I think this year was really hard for me but I definitely got better.” He was adjusting to the differences between European basketball and the American game while also adapting to a new country and culture. The 6-foot-7 forward described the game in the U.S. as more physical. He started lifting weights to keep up with the demand. Now he feels more confident on the court and able to handle physical play better. He competes against teammates like TJ Bamba and Jadrian Tracey, who are both 6-foot-5. Kobzystyi still has at least one year of eligibility left. It is unclear if he can use a redshirt for this season. He is one of four Oregon players who plan to return next season, joining Tracey, Jamari Phillips, and Dezdrick Lindsay.