Nebraska’s frontcourt features a pair of returning starters in Juwan Gary and Rienk Mast, although Mast will be out for the season following knee surgery. Gary is one of the best defensive players in the Big Ten, and his versatility gives Hoiberg lineup flexibility.

Nebraska added size and experience with the additions of transfers Berke Büyüktuncel (UCLA), Andrew Morgan (North Dakota State) and Braxton Meah (Washington), all of whom are 6-foot-10 or taller. Morgan and Meah are multiple-year starters at their respective schools, while Büyüktuncel made 26 appearances at UCLA last season and brings a high level of international experience.

NU adds a pair of newcomers in freshman Braden Frager and walk-on Justin Bolis while walk-on Henry Burt rounds out the lineup. Frager reclassified to join the Huskers this season after starring at Lincoln Southwest, while Bolis is a Lincoln native who played at nearby Southeast Community College.

Gary enters his third season as a starter, and his two-way value makes him one of the most indispensable players in the Big Ten. The 6-foot-6 senior averaged a career-high 11.6 points per game on nearly 50 percent shooting from the floor and 6.1 rebounds per game while setting career highs in both 3-point and free throw percentage. He reached double figures 16 times, including a trio of 20-point games. While he has upped his scoring in each of his three college seasons, Gary is also a tenacious rebounder and defender. He totaled five double-doubles last year and ranked among the Big Ten leaders in offensive rebounds in 2023-24. His size, length and athleticism allow him to guard multiple positions, and Gary thrives at making hustle plays.

“He’s one of my favorite guys I’ve ever coached,” Hoiberg said. “He does whatever it takes to win. Juwan is not a guy that goes out there and hunts shots. He just goes out and tries to make winning basketball plays. He is one of the most versatile defenders in the country and is a great offensive rebounder which helps us get extra possessions.”

Mast is one of the best frontcourt players in the Big Ten but will miss the 2024-25 season following offseason knee surgery. Last year, Mast earned All-Big Ten honors, as he averaged 12.3 points per game and paced the Huskers in rebounds (7.5 rpg) and assists (3.0 apg). The 6-foot-10 forward ranked in the top 15 in both assists and rebounds per game while his six double-doubles were the most by a Husker since 2007-08. Mast reached double figures 20 times and showed his ability to stretch a defense by hitting 34 percent from 3-point range. His campaign was highlighted by hitting six 3-pointers as part of a career-high 34-point effort in a win over Ohio State. While he will not be on the court, Mast’s leadership and communication skills will be vital in helping the younger players adapt to the Big Ten.

“Rienk was such a big part in our success last year, leading us in rebounds and assists while averaging over 12 points per game. We could play through him and that opened up our offense.” Hoiberg said. “Although he won’t be on the court this season, Rienk can still make a big impact in our program. He is such a good communicator and has worked with our bigs in helping them learn our system because he knows it so well.”

Büyüktuncel brings a high level of both international and Division I experience, as the UCLA transfer will play a significant role in the Husker frontcourt this season. The 6-foot-10 forward played in 26 games, including eight starts, as a true freshman at UCLA in 2023-24 despite not being eligible until late November. Büyüktuncel started in his college debut against No. 4 Marquette in the Maui Invitational and finished the year averaging 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds, including a pair of double-figure games. He comes off a strong performance at the European U20 Championships, averaging 12.0 points on 51 percent shooting, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 54 percent from 3-point range in the tournament, including a 5-of-5 effort against Israel. He missed the summer competing for his national team but has impressed the coaches during fall workouts with his skill level and high basketball IQ. Büyüktuncel can guard multiple positions and create mismatches with his skill set.

“Berke is as talented as anybody that we have on our roster,” Hoiberg said. “He’s got good length and is a tremendous passer and can knock down shots. We can initiate offense through him, similar to Rienk (Mast) and Derrick (Walker). He can play a number of spots in our lineup and could even use a smaller lineup with him at the five spot.”

Meah gives the Huskers an elite rim protector and an inside threat as he joins the Huskers after spending the last two seasons at Washington. At 7-foot-1 and 250 pounds, Meah played in all 32 games for the Huskies last season and averaged 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, as he paced the Huskies in field goal percentage (.770) and blocked shots (27) despite playing through injuries. The Husker coaches believe that Meah will recapture his 2022-23 form when he averaged 8.8 points on 71 percent shooting and 7.2 rebounds per game. That season, he was named to the Pac-12 all-defensive team, as he ranked in the top 10 in the conference in both blocked shots (fifth) and rebounding (seventh). Meah’s size and finishing ability around the basket puts pressure on opposing defenses which should give NU’s shooters some room on the perimeter.

“Braxton gives us a rim protector that we haven’t had here,” Hoiberg said. “He puts pressure on the rim, as he can get behind a defense and finish with authority. He sets solid screens which are tough to get around and has done a really good job of making the right read in getting into the paint or spraying out to a shooter.”

Morgan joins the Husker roster after spending the last three seasons at North Dakota State and provides size, skill and experience to the Husker frontcourt. The Waseca, Minn., native averaged 12.9 points on 56 percent shooting and 5.0 rebounds per game last season, earning second-team All-Summit League accolades. A 6-foot-10 forward, Morgan totaled 22 double-figure games, including a season-high 31 points against Kansas City, and recorded a pair of double-doubles in 2023-24. A two-year starter for the Bison, Morgan can finish inside or step out to beyond the 3-point line to create mismatches, as he shot 36 percent from 3-point range last year. Morgan is a physical forward who should be well suited to the physicality of the Big Ten.

“Andrew is a physical player with a skillset that works well in our system” Hoiberg said. “He has excellent footwork around the basket, and we can run offense through the elbow or create isolations to take advantage of mismatches for him.”

Frager is an intriguing prospect, as the 6-foot-7 forward reclassified into the class of 2024 before arriving on campus this summer. He averaged 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as a junior despite playing with a wrist injury that required offseason surgery and limited his work for most of the summer. Frager totaled 20-or-more points in six of his final eight contests, including a school-record 39-point performance at Kearney. An outstanding athlete who is a capable scorer at all three levels, Frager has the potential to contribute early in his Husker career.
“Braden has worked diligently with (strength coach) Kurt Joseph and has put on a lot of size since arriving earlier in the summer,” Hoiberg said. “He’s always been explosive and now his body is beginning to fill out. Sometimes, we forget he is just 17 years old and should be in high school, but he has a Big Ten body and is shooting it really well. He has a bright future in this program.”

Bolis walked on to the team after spending last season at nearby Southeast Community College. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 15.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while recording 11 double-doubles during his freshman campaign. A Lincoln High product, Bolis has made significant improvements since arriving on campus in the summer and will provide front court depth.

Burt returns for his third season with the Huskers after walking on to the program. He saw action in seven games as a redshirt freshman and tallied two points and three rebounds in 10 minutes. Burt is a valuable member of the scout team and gives NU size and depth in the frontcourt.

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