Bret Porter became the third walk-on in Nebraska’s 2019 recruiting class, announcing his decision Thursday.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward from Millard North is following a family lineage to Lincoln.
Porter’s father, Budge, was a scholarship football player at NU and a member of the 1975 recruiting class. He suffered a neck injury while attempting to make a tackle during spring practice in 1976 and never played again.
“My whole family has gone there,” Porter said. “My great-grandpa, grandpa, dad and uncle played football there. Ever since I was a little kid it has always been my dream to play there. I couldn’t pass this opportunity up.”
As a junior, he averaged 13.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Then he tore his ACL in the spring of 2018.
Porter returned to the court for his senior season, averaging 6.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 21 games.
Porter will be the fourth player from last summer’s OSA Crusaders 17U Gauntlet team to continue their career at NU. Omaha Creighton Prep’s Akol Arop is a scholarship player while Jace Piatkowski (Elkhorn South) and Charlie Easley (Lincoln Pius X) chose to walk on.
“It’s crazy,” Porter said of continuing his career with familiar faces. “I am happy to be able to jump into something with guys that I know and am comfortable with.”
Nebraska basketball will play at Georgia Tech in Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Nebraska has its partner for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
NU will play at Georgia Tech on Dec. 4. This is the second straight year Nebraska has been on the road in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Huskers won 68-66 at Clemson last season in a key early- season matchup.
Georgia Tech was 14-18 last season and lost 11 of 13 games from Jan. 16 to Feb. 27. However, the Yellow Jackets return their two leading scorers, senior James Banks III and junior Jose Alvarado.
The game to circle in the challenge is Duke at Michigan State on Dec. 3, a rematch of last year’s Elite Eight upset. Defending champ Virginia also will play an Elite Eight rematch with Purdue.
Here are all the games, which will be broadcast on the ESPN networks:
Monday, Dec. 2:
Miami at Illinois
Clemson at Minnesota
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Michigan at Louisville
Iowa at Syracuse
Rutgers at Pitt
Duke at Michigan State
Florida State at Indiana
Northwestern at Boston College
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Virginia at Purdue
Notre Dame at Maryland
Nebraska at Georgia Tech
Ohio State at North Carolina
Wisconsin at North Carolina State
Wake Forest at Penn State
