University of Oklahoma Athletics
Soares Set to Join Sooners
May 04, 2023 | Men's Basketball
NORMAN – Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Porter Moser announced the addition of transfer guard Rivaldo Soares to the 2023-24 roster on Thursday.
Soares spent the previous two seasons at Oregon and started his college career at South Plains College.
In his two seasons with the Ducks, he appeared in 71 games and made 35 starts, averaging 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing. He shot 40.0% (150-375) from the field and 78.6% (81-103) from the line.
"At 6-6, Rivaldo gives us a long and competitive athletic wing who has played at the highest level," said Moser. "He is an elite defender who can create offense with his defense. At Oregon, he was always tasked to guard the other team's best player. His addition to the roster continues to build our length and athleticism as we aim to build a more athletic and up-tempo team. I am excited for him to join the OU family."
The Boston, Mass., product appeared in 36 games and made 33 starts last season, averaging 7.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest. He tallied nine games with 10-plus points. Soares appeared in 35 games and made two starts in his first season in Eugene, averaging 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per outing.
As a sophomore at South Plains, he was selected to the NJCAA All-America First Team and was named the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Soares averaged 15.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He led South Plains to a share of the WJCAC title and an Elite Eight appearance in the NJCAA Men's Basketball National Tournament.
Soares appeared in 30 games in 2019-20 and averaged 15.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest. Soares shot 42.0% from the floor and tallied 25 double-digit point games.
Prior to his time in Texas, Soares prepped at O'Bryant High School.
Soares joins fellow incoming guards Javian McCollum and Le'Tre Darthard as transfer additions to the roster for next season.
Soares spent the previous two seasons at Oregon and started his college career at South Plains College.
In his two seasons with the Ducks, he appeared in 71 games and made 35 starts, averaging 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing. He shot 40.0% (150-375) from the field and 78.6% (81-103) from the line.
"At 6-6, Rivaldo gives us a long and competitive athletic wing who has played at the highest level," said Moser. "He is an elite defender who can create offense with his defense. At Oregon, he was always tasked to guard the other team's best player. His addition to the roster continues to build our length and athleticism as we aim to build a more athletic and up-tempo team. I am excited for him to join the OU family."
The Boston, Mass., product appeared in 36 games and made 33 starts last season, averaging 7.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest. He tallied nine games with 10-plus points. Soares appeared in 35 games and made two starts in his first season in Eugene, averaging 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per outing.
As a sophomore at South Plains, he was selected to the NJCAA All-America First Team and was named the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Soares averaged 15.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He led South Plains to a share of the WJCAC title and an Elite Eight appearance in the NJCAA Men's Basketball National Tournament.
Soares appeared in 30 games in 2019-20 and averaged 15.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest. Soares shot 42.0% from the floor and tallied 25 double-digit point games.
Prior to his time in Texas, Soares prepped at O'Bryant High School.
Soares joins fellow incoming guards Javian McCollum and Le'Tre Darthard as transfer additions to the roster for next season.
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