3 thoughts on Braden Frager’s return and Nebraska’s first portal commitment

Nebraska basketball achieved one of its major objectives for the offseason, with the retention of Braden Frager.

The move was announced by the Huskers on Thursday, making it officially official. The Lincoln native who hit the game-winning two against Vanderbilt will be back for another season.

We haven’t gotten official word from Pryce Sandfort, but all signs are pointing in that direction. Berke entered the portal, but Fred Hoiberg has already added 6-foot-9 forward Sam Orme, an all-MVC player from a season ago, who averaged 12.7 points, 5-0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks. He also shot 39 percent from 3-point range a season ago, and has 84 triples over the past two seasons, while shooting 37 percent.

Things are moving quickly, and here are three thoughts on the Huskers’ roster moves so far.

Frager’s return is massive for Nebraska basketball

This was one of two moves Nebraska had to get done. Frager will move into the starting lineup this season. An offense built around Sandfort and Frager, two players with NBA potential, is quite promising.

Frager will need to get better as a defender. His 3-point shot needs to get more consistent, but he’s an NBA talent that Nebraska lucked into. Hoiberg needs to take advantage, and took the first step by keeping him.

Now, the key for Fred will be helping Frager take the next step, because that will be key if Nebraska hopes to get back to the same levels it reached in the 2025-26 season.

Nebraska only lost two games this past season when Frager scored at least 10 points.

Sam Orme isn’t a replacement for anyone; he’s just good

Just because Nebraska added Orme one day after Berke entered the portal doesn’t mean that he’s a like-for-like replacement. They are two completely different players.

Orme is a dynamic 3-point shooter. He’s also got some playmaking ability like Mast, is a decent rebounder, and will make some plays on defense (1.6 combined blocks/steals per game). He can make an impact defensively, but it won’t be in the same way as Berke.

He will also be a more consistent offensive weapon. Not only did Orme shoot just under 40 percent from 3-point range last season, but he also made 70 percent of his twos to shoot 55 percent.

Orme will add size, shooting, playmaking, and flexibility to the frontcourt. He’s also got two years left to play.

Nebraska has a line to fill its biggest need

Nebraska basketball needs another big. It could use more rim protection, although that might need to come from within, but the biggest need is finding a point guard.

Jamarques Lawrence and Sam Hoiberg are both out of eligibility. Cale Jacobsen can handle the ball a little, but the Huskers need a ball-dominant guard. They need a playmaker and might have found one in Utah Valley guard, Trevan Leonhardt.

Leonhardt is 6-foot-4, has led the WAC in assists the past two seasons (6.0 per game in 2025-26) and shot 36.4 percent from 3-point range, with an average of 3.4 attempts per game. He’s a pass-first point guard, which will fit well with this team.

However, Leonhardt can score, averaging 11.9 points per game. Speaking of Hoiberg, Leonhardt can also replace some of his defensive impact. He averaged 2.1 steals per game last season and was named to the All-WAC Defensive team.

He’s expected to visit along with Boise State big man Drew Fielder, a 6-foot-11 low-post scorer who also shoots 40 percent from 3-point range. He averaged 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and has 78 career 3-pointers.

By the end of the weekend, Nebraska could have Fielder, Leo Curtis, Sam Orme, Frager, Pryce Sandfort, Jacobsen, Connor Essegian, and Leonhardt. Uggy Jarusevicius is also expected back. That’s a solid nine-man rotation.