PORTLAND, Ore. – University of Portland announced the signing of guard Deng Dut (Melbourne, Australia/College of Southern Idaho) to a National Letter of Intent on Thursday. Dut had a standout freshman season at College of Southern Idaho (CSI) last year where he led the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and assist/turnover ratio.

"We are thrilled to have Deng join our Pilot basketball family," Portland head coach Terry Porter said. "Deng was someone we recruited coming out of high school and stayed on as he excelled at junior college. Our coaching staff is close with Coach (Jeff) Reinert at the CSI and we knew that they would do a great job of developing Deng's overall game. Coming out of a nationally recognized, JUCO-power like CSI, Deng will be well-prepared when he arrives on The Bluff." 

Dut (6-4, 190) was an extremely efficient player as a freshman last season for CSI. He shot 61 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range, both tops in the SWAC. Dut also led the league with a 2.7 assist/turnover ratio, while his 4.2 assists per game were second in the conference. He also averaged 8.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and recorded a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in just 24 minutes against Shoreline Community College on Nov. 22, 2019.

"Deng is a really good player," said CSI head coach Jeff Reinert. "He is excellent coming off ball screens and making good decisions. It is hard to find players with his size and ability at point guard. He is a great young man, a leader in our program, and everyone here loves him. Deng is a hard worker that loves to get in the gym and work on his game. I know he will fit in well and do great at Portland."

Dut previously attended Simonds Catholic College Prep in Melbourne, Australia. He played club basketball for the Collingwood All Stars and three times led his squad to the Gold Medal Victorian Championship. He was a Big V Youth League All-Star while averaging 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals per game as a senior.

"Since I was eight years old it has been a dream of mine to play Division I basketball," Dut said. "I have developed a good relationship over the last two years with the Portland coaching staff. UP is a good fit for me because of that relationship with the staff and the team's style of play. The WCC is a really good conference and I want to play against the best teams."

"Deng is a great addition to our program," Porter added. "He brings unique size, skills, and a high basketball IQ to go along with strong playmaking ability to our roster. He has a chance to become a very complete basketball player – both offensively and defensively. His unselfish, old–school approach to the game will make us better. Off the floor, Deng will be a great Portland fit. He is an extremely likable person with strong leadership qualities."