Julia Dalan has become Portland’s rim-protecting rookie wrecking ball
In the 2025-26 season, freshman center Julia Dalan has been one of the nation’s most disruptive defensive bigs, leading NCAA Division I in blocks per game (3.42) and total blocks (65) as of late January, then finishing with 69 blocks and the WCC freshman-team nod. She pairs elite shot-blocking with underrated rebounding and a growing offensive load, and Portland’s staff can trust her to anchor the paint right away. For a team needing interior defense, activity, and a high-upside frontcourt presence, she’s a very loud yes.
