Cal’s starting center is staying in Berkeley.
Lee Dort will remain with the Bears for the 2026-27 NCAA season, Bear Insider has learned, after playing 60 games with the program over the past two years.
Retaining Dort is pivotal for coach Mark Madsen and the retooling Bears.
Over 27 games, Dort averaged 8.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 23.1 minutes and was the defensive anchor for a roster that had minimal rim protection.
Dort, who spent his first year in Berkeley as a reserve behind veteran Mady Sissoko, was noticeably slimmer and more athletic during the 2025-26 season.
As a result, the 23-year-old had several highlight dunks, blocks and even crossovers, as well as competitive fouls throughout the year.
Dort’s presence, too, was sorely missed when he was sidelined for six games — in which the Bears posted a 3-3 record — after suffering a leg injury in a big win at Stanford.
Dort finished the season seemingly 100 percent after returning to the court in the Bears’ massive home win over SMU; what a time that was.
Now, the roster “retention” that Madsen spoke of toward the end of the season hasn’t played out as most presumed.
Cal’s starting backcourt duo of Justin Pippen and Dai Dai Ames entered the transfer portal on Monday, and banged-up reserve Rytis Petraitis did the same on Thursday. Meanwhile, starting forward John Camden is out of eligibility, while his running mate, Chris Bell, is currently trying to extend his collegiate career.
Retaining Dort, at least, marks one starting position — center — as hypothetically filled for the coming campaign, which is better than zero.
Keep up with this thread for the latest on Cal men’s basketball’s roster construction.
Harky4 said:
Since Lee is staying, Montas should be offered the bare NIL minimum if he wants to stay at that price. DK should be offered walk-on status, fi anything, rather than to be allowed to continue to occupy a scholarship slot.
I do hope that we are looking hard for transfers with successful P4 experience
Jcasa said:
When you blow 19 point leads and choke down the stretch, it doesn't motivate donors to help fund the NIL. As a result players bolt for more NIL money.
glutton said:
I thought Dort was a senior last year. Does he need to appeal for eligibility, or did I miss something?
