Nebraska men’s basketball has found its point guard as Trevan Leonhardt has committed to the Huskers out of the transfer portal.
The redshirt junior spent four years at Utah Valley before transferring to Nebraska.
“The main reason that I’ve been telling people is it just feels right,” Leonhardt told Hail Varsity of his decision to pick Nebraska. “It definitely just feels right. After we made the decision, we felt so good about it, me and my fiancée. So it feels amazing. There are a lot of reasons to that. The head coach is a big reason, coaching staff is a big reason, the team is a big reason, Husker nation is a big reason. So, there are a lot of reasons, but mainly it just feels right.”
In his junior campaign with Utah Valley, Leonhardt started all 35 games. He guided the Wolverines to a 25-9 record while ranking 21st in the nation in assists with 205. The 6-foot-4, 175-pound lead guard finished the season averaging 11.8 points, 6.0 assists and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 36.8% from deep.
Nebraska ranked ninth in the country in 3-point rate (51.1%) and 90th in percentage (35.5%) this past season. Leonhardt said he sees a lot of opportunities for himself to make plays in Fred Hoiberg’s spread-out offense.
“Everyone can shoot, and I think that’s what Coach wants to do is shoot 3s, but honestly get good looks,” Leonhardt said. “You’re not just trying to shoot to shoot, and in the film we watched too you see because there are so many good shooters, you’ll just get wide open layups. They’re trying to take away the 3.”
Leonhardt said he watched a lot of Nebraska basketball last season and feels his playing style will fit right in with the Huskers.
“I think a lot of the players that play here at Nebraska are very smart, and I think that I’m a player that can kind of just fit in with that and can do what they need me to do,” Leonhardt said. “I think as a point guard, I’m definitely a pass-first point guard, but I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do. I think the pieces that are already here with the shooters, the playmakers, it’s pretty awesome. So, I think that’s something I’m just excited to get out there and practice and honestly just to see some of these guys shoot.”
Leonhardt’s size at the guard spot and ability to stuff the stat sheet also fits right in with Hoiberg’s preference for positionless playmakers in his five-out scheme. He’s willing to contribute in any ay he can to help the Huskers build off their 2025-26 success.
“I think a true point guard that can just help everyone do what they need to do will be a huge benefit, but also, I don’t think that limits me, I don’t think that limits the guys that are on the court,” Leonhardt said. “At the end of the day, I think we trust this great head coach, and this great coaching staff and the great players that are already here to make it work. I’m just trying to find my way in, and to help the team have a great year.”
Nebraska’s 2026-27 squad will be an experienced one with key returners such as Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Cale Jacobsen and Connor Essegian. The staff also added Sam Orme (Belmont) and Boden Kapke (Boston College) out of the transfer portal, a frontcourt duo who has combined for 143 games played with 70 starts in their careers.
Leonhardt said that the Huskers’ maturity made Nebraska an ideal place for him.
“On the visit and throughout this whole process with Nebraska, it kind of just feels like they’re a well-oiled machine,” Leonhardt said. “There’s nothing to like maybe questions or you don’t understand, it just works, it just flows. The visit is perfect, everything’s on time, it’s just all locked in. I think that’s the same way with the players too, and the guys that are on the team.”
Leonhardt said that he’ll get married in May before arriving in Lincoln in June.
“I’m trying to just play basketball, have fun and win,” Leonhardt said. “Win big, and win in big games, so it is super exciting for me.”
