Tag: Nebraska Basketball

Men’s basketball lands UCLA transfer Berke Buyuktuncel

 Berke Buyuktuncel, a power forward from UCLA, officially committed to Nebraska.

The Huskers landed another player in the transfer portal. Berke Buyuktuncel, a power forward from UCLA, officially committed to Nebraska. This is the Huskers’ sixth transfer of the offseason.

The 6-foot, 9-inch power forward played in 26 games during one season with the Bruins. Buyuktuncel averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game and shot 38.5 % from the field, 29.7% from 3-point range, and 62.8% from the free-throw line.

Prior to UCLA, Buyuktuncel represented Turkey on the international stage, including the FIBA U18 European Championship in 2022, during which he averaged 12.3 points, 7.4 boards, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

In the summer of 2023, Buyuktuncel helped Turkey finish in third place at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. In Turkey’s 84-70 win over the United States, Buyuktuncel scored 19 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals.

The Huskers lost two key forwards, Josiah Allick to graduation and Rienk Mast to knee surgery. Buyuktuncel joins Nebraska’s frontcourt, which includes North Dakota State transfer Andrew Morgan and Washington transfer Braxton Meah, each helping fill the void.

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Nebraska lands high upside forward from UCLA in the transfer portal

Turkish forward Berke Buyuktuncel committed to join the Nebraska Cornhuskers out of UCLA via the transfer portal.

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).

Nebraska guard to workout for the Chicago Bulls

Keisei Tominaga will hold a workout for the Chicago Bulls on Monday, June 3.

A former Nebraska basketball player has scheduled another workout with an NBA team. Keisei Tominaga will hold a workout for the Chicago Bulls on Monday, June 3.

Tominaga has already held workouts for the Sacramento Kings and the LA Clippers. In 32 games last season, he averaged 15.1 points, shooting 46.6% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point line.

This is not the first time that the Nagoya, Japan native has worked out for NBA teams. He worked out for the Indiana Pacers in the run-up to the 2023 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Nebraska for his senior season.

Projections currently have Tominaga as a second-round draft pick. The Bulls only have one draft pick, No. 11 overall, but could trade into a later pick if they feel Tominaga is worth selecting.

The 2024 NBA draft will run from Wednesday, June 26, till Thursday, June 27.

Former Husker to hold multiple NBA pre-draft workouts

Keisei Tominaga will work out with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, May 28, and the LA Clippers on Thursday, May 30. 

A former Nebraska basketball player has scheduled multiple workouts for the 2024 NBA draft. Keisei Tominaga will work out with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, May 28, and the LA Clippers on Thursday, May 30.

In 32 games last season, he averaged 15.1 points, shooting 46.6% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point line. This is not the first time that the Nagoya, Japan native has worked out for NBA teams.

He worked out for the Indiana Pacers in the run-up to the 2023 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Nebraska for his senior season. Projections currently have Tominaga as a second-round draft pick.

The Kings will be picking with picks No. 13 and No. 45 overall. The Clippers have only one pick in the draft, No. 46 overall in the second round.

The 2024 NBA draft will run from Wednesday, June 26, till Thursday, June 27.

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Shelley signs with Australian professional basketball team

Jaz Shelley has signed with the Ballarat Miners Women of the Mitsubishi NBL1 South. 

A former Nebraska women’s basketball player has signed with an Australian team for the rest of the 2024 season. Jaz Shelley has signed with the Ballarat Miners Women of the Mitsubishi NBL1 South.

Shelley spent three seasons at Nebraska after starting her career with the Oregon Ducks. In 35 games, she averaged 13.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game for the 2023-24 season.

The Phoenix Mercury took the Moe, Australia native in the 3rd round of the 2024 WNBA draft. She was cut following the competition of the preseason.

Shelley says she’s excited to play basketball back home in Australia.

“I’m so excited to be back playing basketball in Australia again and even more thrilled to be able to come and play for the Ballarat Miners. I couldn’t think of a better coaching staff and group of girls to start this new journey with!”

Through ten games this season, the Miners currently hold a record of 5-5.

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Former Husker transfers to Western Kentucky

Forward Blaise Keita will play for Western Kentucky next season. 

A former Nebraska basketball player has announced his transfer destination. Forward Blaise Keita will play for Western Kentucky next season.

The 6-foot-11 junior originally out of the Republic of Mali will have two years of eligibility remaining. His decision to transfer comes after he did not appear in a game in a game last season due to an ankle injury.

In the 2022-23 season, Keita played in 21 games, making five starts. He averaged 2.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest and 10.1 minutes per game.

Prior to his time at Nebraska, Keita was a junior college standout at Coffeyville Community College and, according to Rivals, a four-star JUCO prospect.

Keita will join first-year head coach Hank Plona in Bowling Green, Kentucky, next season. Jeff Goodman of Field of 68 broke the news on social media.

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Nebraska forward Rienk Mast to miss 2024-25 season

Nebraska’s roster for the 2024-25 season took a major hit on Thursday.

Nebraska forward Rienk Mast will not be able to play next season for the Cornhuskers, it was announced on Thursday. The 22-year-old, 6-foot-10 native of the Netherlands will undergo left knee surgery soon, which will cause him to miss the entirety of next season.

Despite redshirting during his four year stint at Bradley, Mast will be able to maintain his final season of collegiate eligibility by using a medical redshirt this upcoming season.

During his first season with the Huskers, Mast averaged 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while playing in and starting in 32 of the Huskers’ 34 games last season.

Prior to his time with the Huskers, he spent four seasons at Bradley including being a major contributor for three seasons from 2020-21 through 2022-23. In 88 career games at Bradley, Mast averaged 11.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.

Find a photo gallery of Rienk Mast’s career below.

Ramel Lloyd transfers to Long Beach State

Ramel Lloyd Jr. has officially transferred to Long Beach State. 

A Nebraska guard has announced his transfer portal destination. Ramel Lloyd Jr. has officially transferred to Long Beach State.

The former three-star recruit out of California did not appear in a game this season for the Cornhuskers. Lloyd initially chose Nebraska over Arizona State, Arkansas, Georgetown, and Oregon. Rivals ranked him the No. 143 overall prospect in the class of 2023.

After he officially transfers, Lloyd will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. According to On3’s Transfer Portal Index, Nebraska’s transfer portal class for 2024 is currently ranked among the top ten.

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Big Ten releases Nebraska’s 2024-25 basketball schedule

Each of the 18 league teams will play a 20-game conference schedule.

The Big Ten released its 2024-25 conference schedule earlier this week. Each of the 18 league teams will play a 20-game conference schedule. Each school will play three schools, both home and away while facing the other 14 teams once. Member institutions will play seven games at home and seven on the road. The Huskers will host Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Rutgers, UCLA, and USC and travel to Michigan State, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, and Wisconsin. The team will play a home-and-home series with Iowa, Maryland, and Ohio State. This season will be the first year with four new conference members (Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Mast announces plan to medically redshirt

Rienk Mast will undergo left knee surgery and will miss the entire season. 

A Nebraska big man has announced that he will medically redshirt for the 2024-25 season. Rienk Mast will undergo left knee surgery and will miss the entire season.

The plan is for the 6-foot-10 forward to redshirt and return for the 2025-26 season. Last season, the Dutchman earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from the media.

He averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Cornhuskers. Mast made the announcement on social media on Thursday.

This past season was one of the most fun years of my life. Thank you for taking me in and giving me another place that feels like home.

As some people know, I played most of last season with a knee that wasn’t completely healthy. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spoken with multiple doctors about what we can do to get my knee healthy for the rest of my playing career and, hopefully, life. These have been some difficult conversations, but the best way forward for me is to undergo surgery.

This was not an easy decision, as it means I will have to medically redshirt for the 2024-25 season while still maintaining my last year of eligibility.

I want to thank everyone involved with our athletic department and men’s basketball team for the support they have shown me. This upcoming year will be very challenging for me individually, but I’ll try to help the team in the best possible way I can.

After starting his career at Bradley University, Mast spent the 2023 season with the Huskers.

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