Yes, Pryce Sandfort double-dribbled late in regulation in Nebraska men’s basketball’s overtime loss at Iowa last season.
The new Husker and Hawkeye transfer admitted as much on Wednesday.
“It was obviously a double-dribble,” Sandfort said. “So can’t really much more to be said about it. So just kind of move on.”
He finished with 11 points, three assists… and no turnovers in the 97-87 overtime victory for Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Huskers led by as much as 15 but couldn’t maintain the advantage.
Sandfort hails from Waukee, Iowa, and transferred to Nebraska in April. He played with his brother Payton at Iowa for two years. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound wing was a four-star recruit according to 247Sports.com coming out of Waukee High School in 2021. He averaged 8.8 points a game last season, a significant increase from his 2.3 average as a freshman, and was third on the team with 56 3-pointers, connecting at a 40% clip.
Nebraska made a strong push to recruit Sandfort out of high school, and the Huskers took advantage of a second opportunity once Sandfort entered the portal following the coaching change in Iowa City. Coach Fred Hoiberg said that he’s glad to have him on the team.
“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 after Sandfort signed. “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 freshmen 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 connection with Hoiberg goes back to when he was a young child. His grandfather, Bo Larson, coached against Hoiberg, and Sandfort grew up going to Hoiberg’s camps. He said that this relationship made the recruiting process easier.
“My grandpa coached against Fred when he was playing and my grandpa was coaching,” Sandfort said. “So we go from there, and then I grew up going to his camps, and that kind of background connection with my grandpa. So we always just kind of knew each other and talked a little bit. And then obviously when I was in high school, they recruited me really hard, so I got really close with Coach Fred and Coach Nate (Loenser). So there was that background, and that just made it even easier when I was in the portal.”
During the offseason, Sandfort has been working to improve his game for Nebraska. He said that the coaches have worked with him on speed, where to place his feet and shooting techniques.
“The Big Ten’s a really physical and fast-paced league,” Sandfort said. “So your release can always get quicker, your footwork can always get better. Hitting more difficult shots as well — running off of screens and getting your feet set really quick, and getting that shot off, off the dribble shots as well. Even on top of that, just making plays for others as well.”
Hoiberg himself has taken an active role in helping Sandfort improve, something he promised he’d do during the recruiting process.
“When I was getting recruited, he told me that he was going to be my shooting coach,” Sandfort said of Hoiberg. ” And he’s held to his word. I’ve shot with him after practice, he talks to me during practice, so it’s been great.”
Sandfort said Loenser has played a big part in helping Sandfort and the other Huskers improve their games during the offseason as well.
“He’s a very intense dude,” Sandfort said. “I absolutely love getting coached by him. He’s been amazing, texting me a lot, just checking how I’m doing. Really intense with the film as well. I think the film’s been a huge part of my growth and our team’s growth as well. He puts together a defensive clip, one huddle after every practice. So watching that after every night and seeing where we can learn and where I can get better, it’s really helped a lot.”
Basketball runs in Sandfort’s family. In addition to his grandpa’s coaching history, his dad, Brian, won a state championship at Holdrege High School in Nebraska before and playing at Hastings College, and his mom, Gretchen, also played at Simpson College in Iowa. He credits his family for helping him get to where he is today.
“I just go back to my dad and grandpa,” Sandfort said. “They were the ones that really set my foundation for my shot. So I give all credit to them. Even my mom, she was a great shooter in college as well. So pretty much just my family. That’s really been the main thing for my shot, for my games, it’s came from them.”
As for the team right now, Sandfort said that he is adjusting well and feels that they are in a great spot with coach and their system.
“Still learning a lot, but just so far I can already tell how helpful it’s going to be for me and for our squad in general.”
Summer workouts will roll on for Sandfort and the Huskers as they work towards the team’s first exhibition, set for Oct. 18 against BYU and projected top-three NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa.
