Sandfort Named Finalist for Two Awards

Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort was one of 25 finalists for the 2025-26 Lute Olson award, which is presented annually to the top player in division I college basketball by collegeinsider.com. In addition, he was also named a finalist for the Riley Wallace Award, which is presented to the nation’s top transfer, by the same publication.

Sandfort has been a driving force in the Huskers putting together one of their best seasons in program history, entering this week’s Big Ten Tournament with 26-5 record and No. 11 AP ranking. On the season, the first-team All-Big Ten performer is averaging 17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He ranks sixth nationally in 3-pointers per game (3.6) and totaled 13 games with at least 20 points, including a trio of 30-point outings.  In Big Ten play, he finished in the top-10 in four offensive categories, including scoring (8th), field goal percentage (9th), 3-point percentage (5th) and 3-pointers per game (1st).

Sandfort is one of six Big Ten players on the Olson list, joining Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan), Bennett Stirtz (Iowa) and Braden Smith (Purdue) and Keaton Wagler (Illinois). For the Wallace award, Sandfort is joined by both Lendeborg and Stirtz.

The recipient of both annual awards is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com. The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, IN, site of the men’s Division I Basketball Championship.