The offseason is underway for Nebraska men’s basketball, and Coach Fred Hoiberg has been busy building the Cornhusker roster for the 2025-26 season. The transfer portal opened on March 24 and the coaching carousel is spinning at full speed.
To keep you updated on all the comings and goings, we’ll update this offseason tracker whenever news drops.
>> March 31: NC State hires Adam Howard as assistant coach on new head coach Will Wade’s staff.
Welcome to the Pack, Coach Howard! pic.twitter.com/vcF3GogYBL
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) March 31, 2025
Howard spent three seasons at Nebraska as an assistant and his departure leaves an opening on Hoiberg’s staff.
>> April 4: Iowa transfer Pryce Sandfort commits to Nebraska.
GBR🌽 pic.twitter.com/5SeLKbbTAx
— Pryce Sandfort (@prycesandfort) April 4, 2025
The 6-foot-7, 210-pound wing from Waukee, Iowa, spent two seasons with the Hawkeyes. He averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22.4 minutes per game as a sophomore this season, shooting 40% on 4.2 3-point attempts per game and 48.8% from the field overall. He scored in double figures 15 times including a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Cornhuskers in Lincoln.
“We recruited Pryce heavily coming out of high school, and we reached out quickly once he went into the portal,” Hoiberg said in a release. “He is a versatile wing who can handle the ball, score at all three levels and is an elite high-volume shooter. Pryce made a significant jump across the board from his freshman to sophomore seasons, and he has a good understanding of the Big Ten from his two seasons at Iowa. We are excited to have him join the Husker program.”
Sandfort’s dad, Brian, is a native of Holdrege, Nebraska, and played basketball at Hastings College.
>> April 6: Former Central Michigan big man Ugnius Jaruševičius commits to Nebraska.
View this post on Instagram
The 6-foot-10, 220-pound post from Lithuania earned first-team All-MAC honors during his breakout season with the Chippewas. He averaged 16.2 points on 53.7% shooting and 7.3 rebounds as a junior.
Jaruševičius spent his first two seasons at Cal State Bakersfield, averaging 5.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in roughly 12 minutes per game across 43 contests before transferring to Central Michigan.
“Ugnius brings versatility to our frontcourt, as he can score inside and at 6-foot-10 is very comfortable stepping out to 3-point range.” Hoiberg said. “He is a good rebounder who averaged more than two offensive rebounds per game last year and uses his size and length to create scoring angles around the basket. Ugnius’ skill set fits well with our five-out system, and we are pleased to add someone of his size and ability to space the floor.”
>> April 7: Sophomore Gavin Griffiths enters the transfer portal.
NEWS: Nebraska guard Gavin Griffiths is entering the transfer portal, @LeagueRDY has learned.
Griffiths is a former four-star recruit who began his career at Rutgers before playing this past season at Nebraska. Native of Simsbury, Connecticut.
Averaged 2.1PPG this season.… pic.twitter.com/LyDN5VNiut
— Sam Kayser (@247HSHoops) April 7, 2025
The 6-foot-7, 193-pound wing played in 16 games at Nebraska this season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per game. The former four-star recruit spent his freshman season at Rutgers before transferring to Nebraska.
>> April 8: Former Husker guard Jamarques Lawrence announces he’s returning to Nebraska after spending this season at Rhode Island.
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The 6-foot-3, 183-pound guard from New Jersey averaged 9.9 points and 2.5 assists, shooting 39.1% from 3 while starting all 31 games for the Rams. Lawrence spent his first two seasons in Lincoln, starting 35 of his 62 games while averaging 6.0 points and shooting 36.4% from 3. He averaged 6.9 points and 2.5 assists while starting 23 games for Nebraska’s NCAA Tournament team in 2023-24.
“We are excited to have Jamarques back at Nebraska,” Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He understands our offensive and defensive systems and how his skill set fits into what we are trying to do. He was an integral part of our success in his two seasons at Nebraska and was willing to do anything to help the team win. He’s got a natural shooting stroke and you can see the improvements he has made during his career.”
>> April 8: Redshirting freshman Nick Janowski enters the transfer portal.
Former Pewaukee standout Nick Janowski, who redshirted during his freshman year at Nebraska, has entered the transfer portal. Four years of eligibility.
— Mark Miller (@WisBBYearbook) April 9, 2025
The Pewaukee, Wisconsin, native was a consensus top-150 recruit and chose Nebraska over Iowa State, Wisconsin, Marquette, USC and others. He accompanied the team on every road trip but did not appear in a game during his lone season in Lincoln.
>> April 9: Air Force transfer Will Cooper commits to Nebraska.
Home. #GBR pic.twitter.com/fATEYuUZQi
— Will Cooper (@WillCoop33) April 9, 2025
Cooper, an Omaha native who graduated from Millard South, played in 21 games as a freshman this season. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound wing averaged 5.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game, shooting 37.7% from 3.
He stepped his game up down the stretch, averaging 11.8 points in 27.0 minutes per game, shooting 46.7% from 3 in his last six. That included a 21-point performance that saw him shoot 6-for-12 from deep in an overtime win at Fresno State.
>> April 9: St. Thomas transfer Kendall Blue commits to Nebraska.
All Glory To God ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9NMMQyrRV6
— Kendall Blue (@KendallBlue9) April 9, 2025
The 6-foot-6, 190-pound Minnesota native spent three seasons at St. Thomas, starting 89 of his 100 games. He averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 51% from the field including 41.7% from 3 on 3.9 attempts per game as a junior, helping the Tommies finish as runner-up in the Summit League regular season and tournament behind only Omaha.
He averaged 10.6 points as a sophomore and 7.4 as a freshman and will have one season of eligibility at Nebraska.
>> April 17: Nebraska hires former Wyoming assistant Pat Monaghan to fill the vacancy on Hoiberg’s staff.
Welcome to the 402, Pat Monaghan. 🌽 pic.twitter.com/9FlZaSCvZL
— Nebraska Men's Basketball (@HuskerMBB) April 17, 2025
Our Mike Sautter broke the news on April 16. Monaghan has 19 years of college basketball experience, He spent the past two years working under Sundance Wicks, first at Green Bay and then at Wyoming. He also spent four years at Southern Illinois and two seasons at Milwaukee. Prior to jumping to the Division I level, Monaghan also coached at the Division II and junior college levels. He began his coaching career at Wayne State as a graduate assistant (2006-08).
“I am extremely humbled and appreciative for the opportunity to join Coach Hoiberg and his outstanding staff,” Monaghan said in a release. “The momentum Coach and his staff have built over the last couple years is exciting, along with the loyal and passionate fan base that is one of the best in the country. I am looking forward to developing relationships on campus and in the community. I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and get to work.”
Among the players Monaghan has helped to recruit and develop are Mountain West Newcomer of the Year Obi Agbim, Horizon League Newcomer of the Year Noah Reynolds, Horizon league Freshman of the Year David Douglas Jr. and three-time All-MVC pick Marcus Domask, who spent his final season at Illinois. He replaces Adam Howard, who left to join Will Wade’s staff at NC State.
“Pat is a well-rounded coach who is an excellent teacher, strong in skill development and a relentless recruiter,” Hoiberg said. “In talking with other coaches who have worked with Pat over the years, the things they bring up are his work ethic and his ability to connect with players. He’s been a part of building successful programs at different levels and has experience in the Midwest at both the Division I and junior college levels. I am excited to have him join the Husker basketball coaching staff.”
