Poise Under
PRESSURE Sophomore Point Guard Jackson Shelstad Commands The Court
By Brianna Carrasquillo
I
n the opening 2:18 of the game against the University of Southern California on December 4, 2024, University of Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad exploded from behind his matchup to intercept a pass from Desmond Claude. With nothing but hardwood and rim ahead, the 6-foot, 180-pound point guard zeroed in on the basket and finessed the first two points of the evening. At that moment, the sophomore made a statement of riveting intent and set the tone for the game. Despite his two turnovers and less-than-ideal stat line –– going 5-13 from the field, 2-of-8 from three –– Shelstad capped the night with 24 points. It was a slow burn, his performance, one rooted in poise, patience, and a short memory. But it was written in the hesitation move he pulled on a Trojan defender — down six with 13 minutes to play — as he rose up and connected on a mid-range jumper. Charting his own course is nothing new for the West Linn, Oregon, native, especially in defining moments when the outcome hangs in the balance. “In the second half, I just came out and played more aggressive, just trusted myself,” says Shelstad. “That just goes into the work I've put in.” Following the footsteps of former Oregon point guard and reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard, Shelstad is stepping into the impressions left behind by his predecessor. In his second season as a Duck, Shelstad looked hungry to continue a legacy of dominance with a strong foundation of in-state roots. Five years after Pritchard’s departure, the point guard position in Eugene, Oregon, feels haunted in the best possible way. What Pritchard left behind was more than highlight reels. He left a
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standard. In the 2024-25 season, Shelstad embodied that same crucible, carrying the weight, the swagger, and the late-game magic that defines an Oregon floor general.
On January 12, the Ducks set their sights on a northeast showdown. Lights dimmed, and highlighter yellow and charcoal uniforms emerged, engulfed by a white sea of “We Are.” The Penn State Nittany Lions jumped out to an 8-2 lead, but a three-pointer from Shelstad helped the Ducks reclaim momentum. Weaving through defenders, Shelstad was in complete control, setting up teammates and scoring from wherever he pleased. As the Ducks clashed with the Nittany Lions in front of a national audience, Shelstad set the stage for yet another chapter in his remarkable ascent. He put 17 points and eight assists on the board, one of which included the go-ahead jumper with 47 seconds left on the clock. Shelstad wasn’t just answering the call –– he was dialing it, shot by shot. Basketball is a belaboring art. It wasn’t luck that brought Shelstad to this moment, but the product of relentless effort — a system set up by a brother-like mentor. “I feel like he’s trained for this moment,” says Pritchard. “He’s been around a lot of pros, so that’s definitely an advantage for him. He's quick, has a very good jump shot, and a good handle. It allows him to get anywhere on the court and be able to affect the game in many ways.” “He’s always had a lot of confidence. He’s always won a lot of games,” says Oregon head coach Dana Altman.