The Nebraska Cornhuskers made another addition to the frontcourt via the transfer portal, landing a commitment from UCLA forward Berke Buyuktuncel on Tuesday.
Buyuktuncel was part of an incoming freshman class at UCLA littered with international stars – including Aday Mara, Jan Vide, and Ilane Fibleuil – that largely disappointed under coach Mick Cronin.
Buyuktuncel is still a very high upside big man, standing at 6’9 and with the athleticism and shooting touch to be an NBA caliber talent in time.
The Turkish forward averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.3 minutes across 26 games last year, shooting 43.3% on twos and 29.7% from three.
He’ll become the second former Pac-12 big transferring to Nebraska this offseason, joining Washington center Braxton Meah.
The Huskers are in need of help up front after losing star Rienk Mast for the entire upcoming season with a knee injury.
Buyuktuncel should step right into a big role for Nebraska and could put his name into the 2025 NBA draft conversation if he blossoms the way many projected he would last year at UCLA.
Buyuktuncel and Meah are two of six new transfers joining coach Fred Hoiberg’s club, alongside Rollie Worster (Utah), Connor Essegian (Wisconsin), Gavin Griffiths (Rutgers), and Andrew Morgan (North Dakota State).