Reading the latest Nebraska basketball transfer portal tea leaves

When it comes to the center position, things are becoming clear for Nebraska basketball.

Boden Kapke has been projected to land with the Huskers by Robin Washut of Husker Online, as well as Jamie Shaw of On3, a national recruiting expert.

The former Boston College center, who started 18 games for the Eagles last season, is likely going to be the starting center next season, at least according to Washut.

That tells you all you need to know about Drew Fielder. He most likely isn’t going to come. Nebraska basketball does have five spots available, but with Leo Curtis and Ugnus Jarusevicius coming back, plus Sam Orme, the frontcourt would feel a little crowded with Fielder and Kapke.

The one big difference between the two is that Fielder shot 40 percent from 3-point range. Kapke shot 33 percent last season, but has made 57 3-pointers in his career. He’s a decent pick-and-pop guy, plus he will be in a much better offensive system.

Kapke is ranked 166th in the transfer portal rankings. Pryce Sandfort was ranked 136th last season, so don’t judge a book by its cover.

The ACC transfer shot 55 percent on twos last season, averaged 10.6 points per game and 5.7 rebounds. He’s a decent defender and will fit fine in Nebraska’s system. He also satisfies the need for a low-post presence, and if he commits, he is the Rienk Mast replacement in the starting lineup.

At least that’s the plan.

Other transfer portal rumblings

Nebraska basketball still hasn’t landed a guard. There are three candidates right now: Trevan Leonhardt (Utah Valley), Ty’Reek Coleman (Illinois State) and Ice Emery (Cleveland State).

Leonhardt visited Arizona State after Nebraska. That’s the main competition for the 6-foot-4 point guard who led the WAC in assists in each of the past two seasons. He scored 11 points per game this past season, shot 36 percent from 3-point range, and earned All-WAC Defensive Team honors after averaging 2.1 steals per game.

Leonhardt is the top target. Coleman was a part-time starter for Illinois State as a freshman, but averaged 10 points, 1.8 assists, and shot 41 percent from three in 22 minutes per game. Emery was the Horizon Sixth Man of the Year and would come off the bench.

Coleman would, too. At least ideally. He would only be a sophomore, though, so there’s a chance he could develop into a future starting point guard, but Iowa and Kansas State are among the other teams in the mix.

Emery’s recruitment is still in a waiting period. Michigan has shown interest. He did a Zoom meeting with the Huskers, and if a visit follows, that will tell you where things are headed.

Lastly, Nebraska is trending for a 6-foot-8 transfer from Montana, Kadyn Betts. The forward played two seasons for Minnesota and is ranked No. 273 in the transfer portal.

Betts has averaged 5.7 minutes per game for his career. His career average is 1.7 points (3.1 in 9 games in 2025-26) and he’s a 38-percent 3-point shooter. His commitment is imminent. He would add more depth at the 3/4 spot, but I wouldn’t expect him to play many minutes.

Nebraska was interested in him as a high school recruit, though.

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